Ames residents not wanting to heat up their stoves on Christmas Day are in luck.The Unity Church and Elks Lodge in Ames are sponsoring the sixth annual Ames Community Christmas Dinner from noon until 2:30 p.m. Christmas Day at the Elks Lodge, 522 Douglas Ave. “The event is really a wonderful time for all groups to come together for a common meal,” said Don Withers, minister at Unity Church, 208 Fifth St.Elks Lodge Acting Exalted Ruler Dave Delagardelle, said he is looking forward to the dinner.”It’s a situation where it’s a lot of fun for the people working,” he said. “Everybody in town has someplace to go for Christmas.”Delagardelle said he is expecting about 300 people at the dinner. He said the Ames Elk Lodge supplies some of the kitchen help and helps solicit food for the meal.Withers said students who feel it is too expensive to travel home also enjoy attending. “We always have some students show up who are still on campus,” he said.Withers also said many volunteers from the community help prepare and serve the dinner.”Mayor Ted Tedesco and some city council members stop by to both help and to be helped,” he said.Residents not wanting to travel to the lodge still can come.”We can provide some transportation or meals on wheels if needed,” Withers said.He also said extra prepared and canned food is delivered to local shelters.”Profit from the free-will baskets and cash donations last year went to the Women’s Shelter, the Rosebud Home, the Boys & Girls Club of Ames and the Youth and Shelter Services,” he said.Delagardelle said everyone wins because the event is “all volunteer” and usually receives private or business donations from 40 or 50 sponsors. He said the event is free to all who attend and those who receive meals on wheels.