A community tradition is nearing a milestone.
Next week, the Community Thanksgiving Dinner will celebrate 25 years in Union County.
The event is hosted each Thanksgiving Day at the Marysville First United Methodist Church’s Burnside Family Life Center and is free to all Union County seniors, shut-ins and families in need.
In a release announcing the event, Community Thanksgiving Dinner Committee members said it is “their honor to provide this meal for the residents of Union County.”
Officials said they are prepared to serve nearly 1,000 meals on Thursday. In 2016, the group served 867 meals.
“This meal is completely funded by area businesses and Union County residents,” according to the release. “Our greatest need is always money to pay for the food.”
This year, the committee purchased 600 pounds of baked ham to serve with au gratin potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, applesauce, rolls and butter and pie.
“Volunteers are needed throughout the three-day event,” according to the release.
Officials said they will begin working on Wednesday at 9 a.m., to do the things that can be prepared ahead of time — setting tables, cut pies, bagging rolls and butter and dishing applesauce.
“On Thursday we need drivers to deliver the meals to all areas of Union County,” committee members said in the release.
Additionally, help is needed at the church.
“We need help to prepare food, assist in the kitchen, hospitality tables, help in the café where meals are served to walk-ins and a dishwashing team is always needed,” according to the release.
Those wanting to deliver meals are asked to be at the Burnside Family Center, 207 S. Court St., between 10:30-11a.m. The serving line begins at 11 a.m.
Official said they will begin the clean up about 9 a.m., Friday.
“Many hands and feet make little work for everyone,” according to the release.
Donations of pies, cakes, cookies, dinner rolls or loafs of bread are always appreciated. Food donations may be delivered from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.
Monetary donations may be sent to: Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Lynn Hamm, 11318 Merry Road, Marysville, OH 43040 or left at the church on Thanksgiving Day. Those with questions about donations are asked to contact Hamm at (937) 243-7689.
Committee members said they appreciate donations as well as specific assistance from local businesses and community members
Officials explained that for more than 10 years, the Nestles Company has donated use of a refrigerated semi-trailer to refrigerate all the food and Steve Ormeroid comes to the church kitchen each year to “wire up some extra electric for the day.”
They said Anne Barr, with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, maps routes for each driver.
“It takes many people to make this all work,” according to the release.
Those wanting more information, or to volunteer are asked to call (937) 309-0743 and leave a message. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
“Reservations are not required for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner if you come to the church to eat,” according to the release from the organization.
Residents wanting meals delivered are asked to call (937) 309-0743, and leave a name, address, phone number and the number of meals needed.
“If you get Meals on Wheels, please order double as they do not deliver on the Friday after Thanksgiving,” officials said in the release.