First United Methodist Church preparing to serve 750 meals Thursday
Forty-eight turkeys, 1,000 deviled eggs, pounds upon pounds of potatoes and sweet potatoes, dozens of pies and 50 to 70 volunteers are just part of what it takes to prepare and serve 750 meals on Thanksgiving Day, a task that First United Methodist Church of Bellefontaine has undertaken now for 17 years.
Preparations for the congregation’s Thanksgiving love dinner have been under way in recent weeks, all leading up to the main event from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. All members of the community are invited to partake of the home-cooked meal with all of the trimmings at the 201 N. Main St. church.
“It is a day of fun, fellowship, laughter and good times,” event coordinators said. “It is about serving others before self. Everyone who stops in will be treated to good food with good folk in a friendly setting.”
Plates will be filled with roast turkey, homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, dressing, deviled eggs and pie. Donations are accepted, but not expected nor required, organizers said.
Delivery of meals and transportation to the event are also available, and requests must be received by noon Wednesday, Nov. 27, to 592-9651.
The community event first began about 17 years ago when the church’s then associate pastor issued an outreach challenge to serve the community through a holiday meal. While the idea was first attempted with an Easter meal, attendance didn’t pan out as well for this springtime date, so the congregation tried for Thanksgiving, and that tradition has been a part of the church’s annual activities ever since.
A host of volunteers step up each year to assist with all of the food prep and Thanksgiving Day service and deliveries, including a crew of college students, along with teachers, retirees and other community members. Young children have been in the mix as well, including a 4-year-old who recently helped at the serving line.
The day prior to the meal, the “turkey pickers” group cleans and prepares the turkeys and then begins the roasting process. Other volunteers peel and prep potatoes for the mashed potatoes, prepare all of the deviled eggs and begin assembling the carry-outs as well.
Another group is assigned to decorating the fellowship hall to create a festive environment for the gathering.
Thursday, all of the finishing touches are made on each of the side dishes and the turkey is carved and readied.
“It’s a well-oiled machine,” coordinators said. “We have to be well-organized to make everything come together to prepare for this many people,” noting that typically, about 300 deliveries are made to locations around Logan County, from West Liberty to Indian Lake.
Along with the many church members and attendees who assist, this year, Lewistown Trinity United Methodist Church members also are contributing 25 pies for the event and volunteering their time for meal prep as well.
Volunteers for the love dinner come from all walks of life, and families and individuals who stop by to partake of the meal also range in age and occupation.
“We see that the need is great for an event like this,” organizers said. “We have doctors and lawyers who stop in, single people and widows and widowers. Families are spread throughout the country, and it can be hard to be able to get together with loved ones for these special occasions. We’re happy to create this special time for a gathering of our community.
“The back stories that we hear from people make us want to do it again and again, and it makes the many hours of preparation well worthwhile.”
In addition to the many volunteer hours, monetary and food donations from church members and the community also make this large-scale feast a possibility.
“A big thank you to everyone who has contributed so much to make this a success,” organizers said.