Norwich — On a quiet, gloomy Christmas afternoon, the dining room at St. Vincent de Paul Place was alive, bright and festive — buzzing with movement as volunteers whisked through rows of red and green covered boxes, counting the food containers inside them.

About 50 volunteers took time out of their Christmas Day to prepare and deliver more than 500 dinners for anyone who called prior to the day and needed them.

In previous years, hundreds of people would have gathered in the dining room to sit at decorated tables and eat together.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the nonprofit feeds those in need during the holidays, but Executive Director Jill Corbin said the virus has not defeated the initiative.

"We love to spend time with people in person," Corbin said. "But since we can't, sending them love in a package is second best."

Corbin said along with a meal, each person receives a "Miracle Bag" that includes donated hygiene products, a hat, gloves, scarf, candy and a $10 gift card to a variety of places.

"We couldn't do it without the volunteers and donors," she said. "We're so grateful to them for this and every day."

Celia Seifert, a volunteer from Norwich who helped manage the delivery system, said 18 volunteer drivers were dropping off 350 meals and more than 150 meals were being picked up by the organization's clients.

Todd Nichols of Norwich said this was his second year picking up a Christmas meal. He works at the Hard Rock Cafe at Foxwoods casino and while things haven't quite been the same at the casino since the start of the pandemic, he said he's "getting by."

Nichols said he was there to pick up a dinner for his roommate and one for himself, seeing that St. Vincent de Paul Place provides a nice Christmas dinner.

Chef Chris Hetzar said the dinners included angus beef, smashed red potatoes with fresh chives, seven cheese macaroni and cheese, vegetable medley and garlic butter sauce.

Hetzar is a pastor and volunteers regularly at St. Vincent de Paul's soup kitchen. He said thinking of someone isolated without a meal is heartbreaking and volunteering to provide someone a meal is the right thing to do.

"As hard as we work, the real miracle are those that pick up meals and drop them off," Hetzar said.

Among the volunteer drivers was Joe Stauff of Voluntown, volunteering to deliver during the holidays for the fifth year.

"It's just a good way to give back," Stauff said about why he was taking time on Christmas to deliver food. "More people should do that."

j.vazquez@theday.com