35th annual community Thanksgiving dinner to be served Thursday

YOUNGSTOWN

Joy in helping people and heartfelt appreciation of guests reward the 70-some volunteers who prepare and serve the annual community Thanksgiving dinner planned today at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave.

Tuesday and Wednesday saw a whirlwind of activities as volunteers from the church and community prepared Helen Chapel for the nearly 700 expected diners.

The Rev. Carolyn Griffeth, interim pastor, provided a background of the event marking its 35th year. The dinner began in 1980 when the Rev. Bert Campbell, then an associate minister who saw a need to help families, presented the idea to the board of deacons. The deacons continue the tradition as part of the ministry of caring.

“It’s buying into the community we are a part of,” Pastor Griffeth said. “It’s part of our calling to be engaged, and this is one of the ways we do that.”

The pastor and dinner coordinators, Nancy and John Houser and Margie and Glenn Patterson, emphasized that everyone is welcome.

Read more about the event in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.