Celebrate Easter with a meal and drive-through event at Ruhl's Church, 4810 Elizabethtown Road, Manheim. The church will offer a free takeout ham dinner and Easter celebration on Saturday, March 27, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The dinner will include a ham slice, a baked potato, green beans and a dessert. Reservations are required for the meal and can be made by calling 717-665-4499 by Wednesday, March 24. "Reserved meals may be picked up outside the church, and they will be brought to your vehicle," said Kris Gray, one of the organizers of the event.

Over the past few months, the church has held several free meal distributions, including soup giveaways and a Christmas dinner. "We had a wonderful response to our Christmas takeout ham dinner, so we decided to hold it again at Easter," Gray noted.

In addition to the meal, the event includes a treat bag for children age 12 and under, which will be full of goodies. The bags will include candy-filled plastic Easter eggs and a storybook about the meaning of Easter. "When you call to make your reservation for the ham dinner, please mention if you have children 12 and under so we may reserve treat bags for them," Gray stated.

After receiving the dinner, participants will exit down the church's driveway, where various scenes depicting the final week of Jesus' life will be displayed. "This 'Drive to Calvary' is an adaptation of the 'Walk to Calvary' we held in the church in years past," Gray explained.

Holding the event is a way for the church to give back to the community and to promote the message of Easter, she said.

"During these difficult times of the pandemic, we want to reach out into the community and share the love of Jesus," she remarked. "Easter is the most important holiday for Christians, so it is a great time to hold an event like this to feed both the body and soul."