Serving up thanks in Dalton

  • By Robin Hauenstein
  • November 20, 2010
  • 299
                        
Thanksgiving dinner in Dalton will have a community feel to it. Thursday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the volunteer efforts of six Dalton area churches will culminate with the inaugural Thanksgiving community dinner to be served in the fellowship hall at Dalton Presbyterian Church. “This is the first time we have done this, so it will be a learning experience, and we won’t really know what it will be, precisely, until we do it,” said Doug Hagler, pastor at Dalton Presbyterian Church. The meal is the culmination of a volunteer effort spearheaded by the pastors of six churches. Living Water Community Church, Pleasant View Mennonite Church, Dalton United Methodist Church, Martins Mennonite Church, Chestnut Ridge Mennonite Church and the host Presbyterian church are coordinating the efforts. “This is the first that we’ve attempted something like this, at least in recent years, and we’re all very excited to see how it turns out,” Hagler said. “We plan on this Thanksgiving meal becoming a regular service we provide to the local community in coming years.” The Thanksgiving dinner is open to everyone, regardless of church affiliation or religious denomination, and is not based on economic need, as the Presbyterian pastor pointed out. “Obviously, people who are having trouble affording food for Thanksgiving will be served, but it is also simply a time to get together with a number of other people from the community and share a meal - something Christians have been doing since the beginning. We are not simply thinking of people who have fallen on hard times, but anyone who would like to share good food and good company for an hour or two.” However, the meal is not limited to those who can come to the church. Hagler said volunteer drivers will take the meal to those who cannot come in, and anyone who wants an order to carry out is also welcome. With a handicap-accessible entrance on the west side of the church for disability access, the fellowship hall can accommodate around 125 people, and those who go to the church to eat can come and go as they please, according to their schedule, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. A group of seniors from Shady Lawn Healthcare Community are being transported to the event. Those who cannot attend but want a home delivery can contact the Dalton Presbyterian Church at 330-828-2144 and leave a message with their name, phone number, address and number of meals requested. Hagler emphasized that while the volunteers are happy to deliver meals to anyone, fellowship hall is also a place that will be filled with folks to break bread and enjoy some Thanksgiving company. “People are welcome to bring their whole families if they do come in person. We ask that, when possible, they give us a call at Dalton Presbyterian Church to let us know they plan on coming,” he said. The idea behind an advance phone call for larger groups is to make sure there are plenty of open tables and chairs, and food ready to serve. “That being said, we’re going to make more food than we think we’ll need, because we want to be able to serve whoever comes through the door.” Walk-ins are welcome, too. Hagler said volunteers and donations are still being sought. Those who can spare some time volunteering, either helping deliver food, serve at the church, work in the kitchen preparing the meals, or doing clean-up are needed and encouraged to call the Dalton Presbyterian Church and leave a message. Donations of already prepared food are also welcome to be brought in that day, and financial contributions will help offset expenses. The event has been through numerous updates and planning continues, right up until Thanksgiving Day, with updates on logistics of food preparation, volunteers, and donations. The Presbyterian church has a large, modern kitchen equipped to handle the food prep. Hagler said he and Julia Wertz, pastor at the Dalton UMC, were originally contacted by Randy Murray, the pastor at Martins Mennonite. The initial idea for a community meal was his, and Murray began the planning for the event, while other churches, pastors and congregation members have joined in. Reverend John Miller of Pleasant View Mennonite has helped with the publicity and Hagler said the connection of so many churches in the Dalton area has sparked interest from far beyond the city limits. Those who would like a meal delivered to their home, would like to bring a family to the church, or would like to volunteer or donate, are urged to contact the Dalton Presbyterian Church at 330-828-2144 as soon as possible, and leave their name, phone number, and if they are requesting a meal delivery, an address. Hagler said volunteers are asked to arrive around 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving. The church is located at 163 W. Main Street and the corner of N. Church Street (SR 94), in front of Dalton Elementary School. Parking is available all around the church, with the west entrance accessible for disabled persons.


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