The Caring Kitchen along with the St. Paris Federation of Churches will continue their long-standing traditions of opening their doors to Champaign County residents in need of a free hot meal or some camaraderie this Thanksgiving.
In the western part of the county, the St. Paris Federation of Churches is sponsoring its 20th annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner, which will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, at Graham Elementary, 9464 W. U.S. Route 36.
Even though this event typically handles residents in the western half of the county while the Caring Kitchen caters to those in the eastern half, no one will be turned away because of where they live or for any other reasons.
“We have already received requests for deliveries in Urbana and Mechanicsburg, and we are happy to reach everyone no matter what part of the county they live in,” said Patty Fonseca, a member of the St. Paris First Church of God who assists the church with event publicity. “This year, more than ever, we are trying to make sure people know the dinner is for everyone. We encourage individuals and families to join us.”
For individuals who are home-bound, delivery is available by calling 937-663-4441.
This year’s turkey day meal will consist of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, Jell-O with fruit, rolls, pie and cake.
Fonseca said while donations of the above items are always appreciated, organizers are especially in need of pies, cakes and specialty breads (banana, pumpkin…etc.).
In order to serve and deliver nearly 600 meals each and every Thanksgiving, the St. Paris Federation of Churches relies on help from volunteers who are needed for various duties, including helping to peel 250 pounds of potatoes (meeting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 23 at Graham Elementary), prepping the food, delivering meals and cleaning up the school afterward.
Individuals interested in volunteering are asked to call 937-663-4441 or simply show up at the school the day of.
“Many of us can’t imagine spending Thanksgiving Day any other way, because we are so blessed by being part of this,” Fonseca said.
New look, same Thanksgiving Day tradition
The recently remodeled Caring Kitchen, 300 Miami St. in Urbana, will be providing free Thanksgiving Day meals beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, when carryout and home delivery begins. Individuals interested in either picking up a meal to go or having one delivered are asked to call 937-653-8443.
Caring Kitchen Executive Director Marilyn Cohn said dine-in meals will be available between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
All meals served on Thanksgiving will included the following traditional fixings: turkey and dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and pie.
Cohn said the Caring Kitchen served a total of 369 meals (245 were delivered) on Thanksgiving Day 2015. In order to make sure there is plenty of food available to accommodate the hundreds of meals served, Cohn is seeking donations of turkeys, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, instant mashed potatoes, butter, onions, rolls and pies.
Along with food donations, help is needed to make sure the community outreach effort goes on without a hitch.
“We are always in need of volunteers,” said Cohn, who added 100 individuals lent a hand last year.
Along with serving meals to anyone who shows up or calls in, the Caring Kitchen will again make sure area first responders are taken care of this Thanksgiving, Cohn said.
