By Ryan Smith
A veteran pulled out his wallet, showing two young servicemen a decades-old piece of military identification; smiles of camaraderie crossed their faces.
And a volunteer wore the quiet smile of a job well done as she poked her head out of the kitchen to see the Thanksgiving dinner she helped prepare being enjoyed.
“There are hundreds of smiling faces. I haven’t seen smiling faces like this for a long time,” Mary Kline said to Judy Lilley as the two enjoyed Thanksgiving together — and with many others — Thursday at the Family & Community Christian Association on Chestnut Street in Meadville.
As always, it’s that multitude of warm exchanges that get to the heart of what a community Thanksgiving is really all about, according to organizers. And despite its recent name change (FCCA was formerly the YWCA of Meadville), the community association’s intent with the event remains the same as it ever was: to welcome anyone and everyone who may be alone — for whatever reason — and wants to share good food and fellowship during the holiday.
Thursday’s feast, a local holiday tradition since the late 1960s, served about 200 area residents who sat down and shared in the holiday together, as well as upwards of 150 or more who had dinners delivered to their homes around the county, according to longtime head organizer Bill Foster and other volunteers. Those numbers were about the same as during last year’s community Thanksgiving dinner, said Foster.
As usual, there was no shortage of food or helping hands for the feast, which tasked about 60 volunteers with preparing and serving a top-notch meal that consisted in total of 18 to 20 turkeys and hundreds of pounds of homemade trimmings as well as dozens — and dozens — of pies and other desserts.
“Thank you for coming,” Foster said to the community, and “thank the people,” he added, “who are so generous. From my point of view, this year, we were very blessed.”
Following Thursday’s feast, volunteers now begin planning for next month’s Family & Community Christian Association community Christmas dinner.
Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com
You can help
Anyone wishing to donate food, help prepare food, serve, clean up, make monetary donations or provide entertainment for the Family & Community Christian Association’s upcoming Christmas community dinner Dec. 25 at noon is asked to call the FCCA at 337-4279 for details.
The dinner, which is open to everyone, is held at the FCCA, 378 Chestnut St., Meadville.
Reservations are encouraged, but not mandatory. They may be made by calling FCCA at 337-4279. Takeouts and home delivery are also available for those who are unable to attend.
