YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley is furthering its purpose of giving back while celebrating the birth of Jesus. Volunteers and staff were busy on Christmas Day as they welcomed anyone to join them for a free Christmas meal.

There’s a home for the holidays, as they say, but some would call this place home.“And especially this time of year when it’s rough on a lot of folks, at least you can come here, and there’s people that care and love on you and stuff like that to make you feel wanted,

Christmas is not about the gifts nor the decorations at the Rome Rescue Mission in Rome, New York, said Interim Executive Director Lisa Patierno.

The Union Rescue Mission in Fairmont made deliveries of Christmas meals to those who reserved them on Wednesday while also serving lunch at the mission center’s dining room.

For some, the hot meal is what they need on the cold holiday but for others it's the time spent at the table with people that fills them with joy.

The Durham Rescue Mission on Monday is holding its 47th annual Christmas community dinner and toy giveaway. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the men’s campus on East Main Street in Durham, with volunteers braving the cold to make a free warm Christmas meal for families who may not have one this year.

Volunteers at St. Paul's Union Gospel Mission served up hundreds of Christmas Day meals during a free lunch on Wednesday.