Volunteers are pictured preparing and serving meals during the 2022 Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The organization, which has been serving Union County for more than 30 years, has a goal of ensuring that no one goes hungry on Thanksgiving Day in Union County.
(Photo submitted)
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Through a “huge collaboration,” community members are working to make sure every one of their friends and neighbors is able to celebrate Thanksgiving with a warm meal.
“Nobody should go hungry on Thanksgiving Day in Union County,” said Julie Whipple, a volunteer and organizer with the Union County Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
For over 30 years, the organization has provided free Thanksgiving dinners to anyone in need.
While a dine-in option will not be available this year due to COVID-19 precautions, meals will be available for carry-out or delivery.
Those interested can request a meal by calling (937) 738-1375 or filling out an online request form at ctdmarysville.com. Individuals can request up to eight meals, though Whipple said the organization is very flexible if a family needs more servings.
Delivery orders must be placed before noon on Wednesday.
Meals will be delivered to an individual’s home between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, or can be picked up during the same time frame at Cornerstone Global Methodist Church, 207 S. Court St. Whipple emphasized that it is the same location – at the corner of Court and Sixth streets – although the church has a new name.
The hot meals include a ham dinner with sides of scalloped potatoes, green beans, applesauce, a roll and dessert.
Whipple noted that the Presbyterian Church’s youth group baked almost 70 pies and donated them for the community meal.
She said that is just one example of how many people come together to ensure the community meal is served.
The Community Thanksgiving Dinner is organized by an interdenominational group, Whipple explained, with volunteers from a wide variety of churches and organizations throughout the county.
The meal was first served at the Catholic Church, but moved to the Methodist Church about 10 years ago because the facility’s kitchen was “absolutely perfect” for preparing so many meals, Whipple said.
She said local businesses get involved as well, as Showplace Rent to Own allows the organization to use refrigerators at no cost. Fliers advertising the meal are printed and donated by Marysville Printing Co.
“It just fills you with a lot of pride in our community,” Whipple said. “They always come through for us.”
Aside from ensuring no one goes hungry, Whipple said the Community Thanksgiving Dinner is a way to share a human connection with anyone in need over the holidays.
Without a dine-in meal due to COVID-19, Whipple said volunteers are encouraged to spend a few minutes chatting when they deliver meals.
Some volunteers may be moved to say a prayer with those receiving meals, she said, while others may even send a Christmas card to those homes later on.
She said one volunteer delivered meals to the same man for about eight years and kept in touch with him in between Thanksgivings. Whipple said the man passed away recently and the volunteer has shared how much he is going to miss talking with him and seeing him.
The relationships built through the community meal are “part of the blessing of it,” she said.
Whipple said the organization is always seeking new people to get involved, whether through volunteering with cooking or delivering, or through financial contributions.
She said volunteers start cooking on Tuesday, spend all day Wednesday doing so and wrap up early Thursday. Even so, she said volunteers are home by 2 or 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving so they still have family time.
Whipple emphasized that the time commitment for volunteers is not extreme and organizers hope anyone interested can get involved in any way that works for them.
She said she is incredibly grateful that volunteers have made sure the meal happens each year and that the community always has a way to celebrate.
“I wouldn’t live anywhere else,” Whipple said.