Teamwork behind-the-scenes of annual meal
BY GENNA HOFFER
Examiner Contributor
Every year for the past 19 years, the First United Methodist Church located at 201 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, has put together an amazing meal full of love and teamwork.
Thursday, Nov. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., area residents can receive a full-course Thanksgiving dinner at the church’s 19th annual Thanksgiving Day Love Dinner.
Participants are asked to enter the church parking lot off the Sandusky Avenue and pull under the overhead, where volunteers will bring out meals, which are first-come, first-served.
The volunteers ask that individuals stay in their vehicles and follow the COVID-19 precautions. This dinner is free to everyone.
Meals also are delivered Thursday afternoon to those who pre-ordered their meals earlier this week.
Donations are a great way to show support and are greatly appreciated.
In addition, organizer Sharon Walden said for community members who would like to be a part of the fun and help out with the community meal, the church is asking for extra help in and out of the kitchen, starting today, Wednesday, Nov. 24.
Volunteers will be at the church starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, preparing all the food.
This is Walden’s ninth year volunteering for the love dinner and she expressed appreciation to all of the helpers and community members who make the dinner possible.
The congregation is preparing 40 turkeys, 90 pies, along with a ton of potatoes, sweet and mashed; and all of the fixings.
Walden and the team of volunteers start their work several days in advance to make sure everything is done and ready to serve the community.
Last year, the organizer said they turned out nearly 800 plates. This year, she doesn’t think there will be much increase, due to the family gathering restrictions being different compared to last year.
With almost 260 plates already spoken for Tuesday, the volunteers were already hard to work at cooking and prepping all of the delicious food.
“I’m blessed to have Sharon and the volunteers helping,” Pastor Joe Ziraldo said. “Impressed by her and her team because they work like a well-oiled machine.”
The pastor also is hoping that next year, people come into the church to partake of their Thanksgiving meals once again.
“There’s nothing more intimate than sharing a meal with the community,” he said. “I’m appreciating family and relationships a lot more due to COVID.”
Walden also wanted to thank secretary Barb Dancer for all her hard work and participation in making this year’s Thanksgiving dinner possible. From answering more than 100 phone calls to labeling each to-go box, Dancer has been an integral part of the event.