SUBMITTED PHOTO Members of the Rotary Club of Marshalltown help with the meal at the House of Compassion on Thursday. Prior to the meal, Rotary donated a new stove to the House of Compassion.

Members of the Rotary Club of Marshalltown helped spread some Christmas cheer on Thursday.

A few months after donating a $2,500 gas stove to the House of Compassion, they helped serve the evening meal.

According to Julie Hitchins, Rotary president-elect and grant writer, members cook and serve a meal every other month at the House of Compassion. It is something they have been doing the last year. On Thursday, they were able to get donated chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken and provided mashed potatoes, gravy, a vegetable and peach cobbler.

“It is comfort food, definitely,” Hitchins said.

She said the old gas stove at the House was outdated and needed replacement. Hitchins wrote the grant application for one of the 2023 Community Service grants from Rotary District 6000, and said Marshalltown received one of the 27 grants, totaling $85,240.

Rotary District 6000 encompasses Iowa south of Highway 20 to Ft. Madison, spanning east to west from Manning to Clinton.

One of the requirements of the grant was acquiring 50 percent matching funds. Hitchins said they received that money through an anonymous donation from a Rotarian and the Bill and Phyllis Lane Foundation.

The money provided the professional installation by Pentz Appliance of two Frigidaire Slide in Gas Stoves with quick boil burners. Additional kitchen equipment will be purchased in 2024 to assist with evening meals.