Published: November 20, 2008 12:18 pm         

Community Thanksgiving Day dinner hosted by Whaley UMC

For 15 years, members and volunteers of Whaley United Methodist Church have been working together to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for area individuals and families at the Stanford House, 401 W Garnett Street.

Since its creation, Brenda Hinkle, Whaley United Methodist Church member, has spent her Thanksgiving day serving at the dinner.

“I think my favorite part of the dinner is just knowing that we are meeting a need in our community and how blessed we are to meet that need in our community,” said Hinkle.

The dinner is not just for individuals, but families are invited as well, said Hinkle.

“Just bring you’re whole family,” said Hinkle. “I’ve spent my family Thanksgiving here for the last 15 years.”

A traditional Thanksgiving meal will be served Thursday, Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., she said, and is open completely to the public, free of charge.

“We welcome everyone,” said Hinkle. “It’s just a place for someone to come if their family isn’t here or if they just need some place to spend the holiday at. It’s a wonderful event and I feel like it’s a blessing for us all to be able to provide that.”

All the funds necessary to provide the food were raised by church members, added Hinkle. Members and volunteers will also serve the DASH delivery routes for the day, in order to give the regular volunteers a day off for Thanksgiving.

Volunteers and church members will also spend time from 8 a.m. till noon, Wednesday, Nov. 26 at the Whaley United Methodist Fellowship Hall, 701 Rosedale Drive, to cook and prepare for the dinner.

For more information, or if you would like to volunteer at the dinner, please contact the church at 665-5588.