CORPUS CHRISTI — Harnessing about 1,500 volunteers to serve more than a ton of ham, dole out a pickup bed full of tamales and slice a stack of apple pies taller than city hall is a Christmas miracle for about 10,000 people.

The Feast of Sharing holiday dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve at the American Bank Center Convention Center.

This holiday tradition began in 1988, the desire of Florence Butt, founding matron of H-E-B.

“Her caring spirit and giving heart prompted rolling out the first turkey dinner for the needy on site here in Corpus Christi,” said James Burnett, spokesman for the grocery chain sponsor that provides the food. A Christmas feast now is shared in 26 cities, Burnett said, as far away as Monterrey, Mexico.

Del Mar College culinary arts students will carve about 20,000 4-ounce slabs of ham, while Naval Air Station Ingleside mess specialists churn out 500 gallons of mashed potatoes with gravy and bake 10,000 rolls.

This beast of a feast and its other trimmings are free for the elderly, disabled, less fortunate or lonely, and there’s no shortage of takers, organizers said. So with about 550 volunteers from previous years already registered, the Volunteer Center of Coastal Bend is finding tasks for all holiday helpers who call, said Kathie Coons, program director. Volunteers can register by calling 887-8282.

About 800 meals each year are delivered to people home bound due to age, serious illness or permanent disability. Transportation problems are considered ineligible because Regional Transportation Authority is provides a free shuttle from the Staples Street Station, and passengers can ride there free from other bus stops if they tell the driver they are going to the dinner. Care-B riders also are taken free. Senior Community Services is taking reservations weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 826-3150 for home meal delivery for the first 800 callers or until 5 p.m. Dec. 17.

All left over food is donated to Corpus Christi Metro Ministries and area food banks.