Multiple community members teamed up yesterday to provide fresh, home-cooked Thanksgiving meals around Indiana County and, according to dinner coordinators, they were largely successful.
According to Evan Bertig, volunteer firefighter at the Coral-Graceton Fire Department, more than 225 meals were served to the community at the “Share Your Blessings” dinner. Bertig says the meals were served “through the work of countless volunteers” and through the direction of Julie Flowers. Meals were also made possible through monetary donations by multiple businesses and individuals.
Photos by Evan Bertig
Meanwhile, officials with the Salvation Army of Indiana say their community dinner provided 300 hot meals to the community both Wednesday and Thursday. It was hosted by the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1468 and it was organized by Christy Ooten, Corps Assistant for the Salvation Army.
More than 100 volunteers contributed during the two-day event. Volunteers assisted in food preparation, cooking, and serving.
Additionally, the Indiana County Recovery Center hosted a community dinner for the second straight year and approximately 40 people were served. Nicole Wannett, the dinner’s organizer and Certified Recovery Specialist at the center, teamed up with four assistants to make the dinner possible.
Wannett tells Renda Media it is a “pleasure to give anyone a place to go during the holidays.” She adds that this time of year can be rough, as relapse rates are high, but she hoped that people chose to come to the Center instead of falling into addiction.
She said they hope to continue the dinner, and similar events, in the future.
