Food and fellowship was on the menu at Columbia's Saint John Baptist Church.
"We see this as an opportunity to serve those who are less fortunate in our community," said Pastor Jamey Graham.
Graham's church opened it's doors for the 12th annual Christmas Eve dinner. He says this is about more than offering a warm meal, the event is also focused on warming the soul.
"We also give them a gift bag with several different items in them to help them during the winter, such as blankets, coats, soap, socks and so on," said Pastor Graham.
"I was homeless at one point," Ja Ja Safi Akir. "As a matter of fact I'm still homeless."
But Akir says he's not hopeless. He was one of the nearly 500 people who came out to enjoy the feast this Christmas Eve. He's been homeless for nearly four years and says moments like Thursday's event remind him there's a lot to be thankful for.
"I think it's beautiful, because I see that it's a lot of people that really care," said Akir.
Also counting his blessing is Calvin Moses. He's called the streets home for the past three years now. He says many things are unpredictable in his life, including where he will sleep every night. But the annual dinner has been one constant factor he looks forward to.
"Today is a perfect day to celebrate Christ, that's what we come out for," said Moses.
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