Doors opened to all for meal on Thanksgiving

By John Peters
Editor

In the first of what organizers are hoping will become an annual event, Littleton United Methodist Church will be holding a community Thanksgiving dinner next week.

The event, scheduled from noon until 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving day, is an attempt by the church to offer food, and more, to those in the community who might be in need.

“We were talking about different ways our church could be of service to the community,” said Rev. Rob. Licht, the church’s pastor. “We started thinking about the various hungers people have at this time of year, not merely a hunger for food, but for companionship, for friendship, for being with someone else.

“The dinner started out as ‘Let’s just feed the stomachs,’ but now it’s grown to the idea that not only do we want to feed people’s stomachs, but feed people’s need for companionship.”

The meal is being offered free to anyone who comes to the church’s fellowship hall that day, and the church is offering free delivery to people who are shut-in, but would like a hot Thanksgiving Day lunch.

“We’re asking people who are coming to call us,” he said. “Just to let us know they are coming. They don’t need to give us any names, just a number of how many people they are bringing.”

Those wishing to have meals delivered to their home do need to call ahead of time, he said, so organizers know how many meals to make.

“We are preparing for about 200,” he said of the expected number. “We really don’t know if we’re going to have that many, but we are definitely preparing for that many folks.”

The meal, he said, will consist of traditional Thanksgiving fare -– turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and desert.

Elizabeth Solovinff, who is coordinating the dinner, said she and about 18 other volunteers will start working on the meal Wednesday, cooking the meat, peeling the potatoes, and preparing the rest of the food – “Just like grandma used to do,” she said.

On Thanksgiving morning, she said they will probably all be at the church before 9 o’clock, finishing up preparations for the noontime meal.

She said the volunteers are planning on cooking 75 pounds of turkey, another 20 pounds of ham in case the turkey runs out, an untold amount of stuffing and vegetables, and “lost of homemade pies and other desserts.”

She said the door at the church will probably open around 11:45 a.m., and people are free to come in, eat, and fellowship.

Rev. Licht said those delivering the meals to shut-ins will probably start doing that shortly after 2 p.m.

“Most of the food is coming from donations from people in the church,” he said. “

Any people or businesses wishing to donate to the dinner, or people willing to volunteer their time, should call the church office.

Anyone expecting to attend the dinner, or wanting to have a meal delivered to them, should call 586-5385 and leave a message.

Rev. Licht said, however, that even if you don’t get a chance to call ahead, all people should feel welcome to attend the dinner.