Christmas dinner comes early

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) - Many outreach groups in Central Texas provide free meals for those in need on Christmas Day, but one Pflugerville church group takes that effort even further.

"Every Thanksgiving and Christmas we give out baskets," said Gene Wills, a deacon at Logos Baptist Church.  "We don't just give enough for a day, we give enough for a whole week."

Logos deacons handed out the food baskets Friday. 

"They have a turkey, lots of vegetables like green beans, corn, a sack of potatoes," Wills said, "stuff to make a cake."

The church does not count on food donations to fill the baskets. Instead they buy all new supplies, partnering with HEB to stretch their dollars as far as possible. The money comes from the church's "Benevolence Fund."

"It's extra special when you see those kids come in," said deacon Michael Malone.  "They don't know where their holiday meal is coming from but we're able to provide that thanks to the leadership of our pastor."

The baskets come in two sizes, one meant to provide a week or more of food for families of two-to-five, and a "super-sized" version meant for families of six or more.

"Blessing others, so that we get blessed as well," said deacon Ron Wicks. "That's the key."