Dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.

It is also a sense of pride and self-respect in oneself.

During the holiday season, it is more important than ever to provide that sense of dignity to families that are truly in need.

Law enforcement agencies accomplish that with Shop with a Cop. Next week, the folks at Dickess Auto Repair and Advance Auto Parts will accomplish that with their bike giveaway next week.

And Saturday, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironton and the Lutheran Social Services Mobile Food Pantry will give that comfort to hundreds of families with its Christmas with Dignity food giveaway.

Now in its 12th year, Christmas with Dignity provides boxes of meat, vegetables, fruit and other staples that can feed a family for about a week. This year, the goal was to feed 500 families from the community.

That adds up to thousands of pounds of food that will be served on the tables of those who might not otherwise get to feel their families a proper Christmas meal.

While making sure our community is fed is the No. 1 goal of the giveaway, the Christmas with Dignity also allows a mother or father, aunt or uncle or grandmother or grandfather to feel a sense of pride as their families gather around the table to break bread this holiday season.

This event has met a tremendous need in the community year after year and the church and its volunteers are to be commended for keeping the tradition going.