The needy and the lonely in Lake Placid won’t have to spend Christmas Day alone. Two opportunities for free holiday meals are being offered — one at lunch time and the other at supper. And both are free.

“There are a lot of retired people and single people in the area and we don’t want anyone to spend Christmas Day alone,” said Jeanne Fortier, who spearheads the dinner meal with her husband, Mark. “Being alone for the holiday leads to sadness. Christmas should be a time of joy and happiness.”