The Saugatuck Congregational Church in Westport carried on its decades-old tradition Thursday by opening its doors to all of southwestern Connecticut for a Christmas feast.

It?s not a typical Christmas meal, organizers say. Families from all over as well as those who need a hot meal and a place to eat attend. Volunteers do everything they can to make the celebration joyful from live music to place settings and side dishes.

?Anything we can do to make it seem festive and happy and beautiful and joyful is maybe not as important as feeding people, but I think it feeds people?s spirits,? Susie Benton, of West Haven, says.