First United to host pre-Thanksgiving dinner

Again, the meal will be held on Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 26th at 12:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. “We invite people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in this event”. Angie Fletcher, who along with Ami Williams is heading the dinner, said that the money was used to purchase more than 90 pounds of turkey.

Volunteers cook and serve the food in a pleasant family atmosphere.

One attendee said this was a chance to see people in the community she hasn’t ‘seen in a while. “So this was a platform for everybody to get involved; everybody to help in whatever capacity they could help in”.

The church plans to serve almost 300 meals on Thanksgiving Day throughout the Saco Bay area.

But organizers said they are facing a problem.

“Each year we’ve been able to provide a few sort of service that would check their blood pressure, check their glucose”. There’s roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry sauce, rolls and dozens of donated pies and desserts.

“It’s a sense of community”, Diane Lisek, of Endwell, said.

A few people have limitations on their diet that don’t permit them to eat as much as they want.

There’s a lot of work that goes into planning, preparing, serving and cleaning up afterward, explained Kenny Walkup, church pastoral associate who has overseen the holiday dinner for five years. “The dining table is a human experience”. All are welcome she said, member or not.

“I love that all special holidays in America, especially Thanksgiving as it’s so unique to any other culture”, Reimannova said.