🌱 Patch AM: Where anyone in Springfield can find a free Christmas meal

What's up Springfield! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Where anyone in Springfield can find a free Christmas meal
• Why Missouri State’s latest soccer signee could shine in Springfield
• Why Springfield’s “toilet yard” just turned into a tiny graveyard

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Breezy with clouds and sun, with a high of 57 and low of 30 degrees.
• Sunday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 52, low: 35.
• Monday: Low clouds and breezy, with a high of 58 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Springfield groups prepare to serve hundreds on Christmas (ozarksfirst.com) — Several Springfield organizations are gearing up to serve free Christmas meals and offer warm spaces to anyone needing food or community on Dec. 25. The Salvation Army’s Harbor House, Victory Mission, and Black Sheep Downtown all expect higher demand this year, citing record food pantry use, cold weather, and recent SNAP delays affecting local families.
   

2. Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of Month: Edwardsville Girls Soccer Star Thea Dimitroff Signs With Missouri State (riverbender.com) — A standout Illinois high school defender is headed to Missouri State University in Springfield, giving local fans another reason to watch the Bears’ women’s soccer program. Coach and school leaders praise Thea Dimitroff’s speed, leadership, and sportsmanship, saying she’ll bring both talent and character to Springfield’s college pitch.
   

3. Pokin Around: Did he give in to ‘The Man' or did he keep the toilets in his front yard? (sgfcitizen.org) — A Springfield homeowner who decorated his front yard with four toilet planters has now removed them to avoid a potential city fine, swapping them for tongue‑in‑cheek Styrofoam headstones instead. The city inspector signed off on the new display, and the resident is already plotting a toilet‑themed outdoor planter that he believes will comply with Springfield’s rules.
   

4. Missouri and Arkansas poaching cases highlight wildlife protection concerns (ky3.com) — Springfield-area conservation officers are warning that most wildlife crimes go undetected and are asking local residents to help report suspected poaching. Recent illegal killings of elk, deer, and black bears in Missouri and Arkansas are straining wildlife populations and restoration budgets. Officials urge Springfield residents to note details like location, time, and license plates and call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111.
   

5. CMN Hospitals at CoxHealth sets new Miracle Week record with $456,856 raised (ky3.com) — Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth in Springfield just wrapped up Miracle Week with a record $456,856 in gifts and pledges, about 10% more than last year. Organizers say additional donations are still being processed, meaning even more support for pediatric care, equipment, and family services for children across the Springfield region.
   

📸 Around Springfield

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Springfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Sunday December 21

• Chanukah on the Square
  Springfield, MO Calendar , Park Central Square 100 Park Central Square , Springfield
• Santa's Wonderland Ice Rink
  Springfield, MO Calendar , Bass Pro 1 Bass Pro Drive , Springfield
  10:00 am
• Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
  Stone Chapel at Drury University Drury University Springfield, Missouri 65802
  8:45 pm

Monday December 22

• Chanukah on the Square
  Springfield, MO Calendar , Park Central Square 100 Park Central Square , Springfield
• STI Clinic Walk-in hours
  Springfield, MO Calendar , 227 E. Chestnut Expressway , Springfield
  8:00 am
• Santa's Wonderland Ice Rink
  Springfield, MO Calendar , Bass Pro 1 Bass Pro Drive , Springfield
  10:00 am
• BB vs Hillcrest
  Glendale High Springfield, MO 65802
  4:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• STI Clinic Appointments
  Springfield, MO Calendar Springfield, MO 65802
• Shingles/RSV/Tdap Clinic
  Springfield, MO Calendar , 227 E. Chestnut Expressway , Springfield
  9:00 am

📣 Springfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• SELF CARE SATURDAY SOUND BATH
  Lavish Sound , 7342 W Farm Rd 170 b , Republic
  10:30 am

Sunday December 21

• Mahjong Club — Village Meeple Board Game Cafe
  Village Meeple Board Game Cafe , 1570 E Battlefield Rd ste f , Springfield
  1:00 pm
• Hope and Anchor Pantry
  2216 W College St · Springfield , MO , Fremont Hills
  4:00 pm
• Polar Bear and Northern Lights Sunday Fun Day
  Painting with a Twist , 3444 S Campbell Ave Suite G , Springfield
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A note of encouragement,
  Just today, 12/18/25, I couldn't find my car in the Walmart parking lot. The wind was strong and cold. I had no jacket. A man and woman pulled up… (Nextdoor Portland Heights)
• EBENEZER 1 UMC FOOD PANTRY and ROBBERSON PRAIRIE BAPTIST CHURCH CLOTHING CLOSET OPENS TODAY DECEMBER 18th from 5p-7p.
  Both are North of Springfield off of Highway 13 turn on Farm Road 56 east to Ebenezer. We will gladly direct you to the CLOTHING CLOSET… (Nextdoor Ebenezer)

• Melville Road Bridge to OPEN in #Springfield West Norton Road, west of Melville Road (Farm Road 127) OPEN 9. Friday, December 19 East Norton Road... (X: MoDOT_Southwest)
• Toiletgate Update: The city of Springfield set a Dec. 13 deadline for Matt Paasch to remove his toilet planters from his front yard. Rather than face... (X: sgfcitizen)

• Buc-ee's posted a job opening for Grocery Associate in Springfield. Apply here.
• Evangel University posted a job opening for Admissions Counselor in Springfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Springfield here.

Ok Springfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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