MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Wesley United Methodist Church held its 10th annual Thanksgiving dinner Thursday.
Preparation for the meal – including cooking 25 turkeys in three different ways – began Monday, event coordinator Karen King said.
King said over 100 people volunteered to help cook, serve, set-up, tear-down and work at the event.
Volunteers also delivered 132 plates to area first responders including police and firefighters in Westover, Star City and Granville. Morgantown Police, Mon Health EMS and Star City EMS were also given plates, she said. MECCA also received plates.
The feast included everything a Thanksgiving spread should such as turkey, ham, green beans, corn, rolls, bread, sweet and mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy.
On the other side of the gymnasium-turned-feasting hall was a table with sweet potato, pumpkin, cherry and apple pie for devouring.
While handing out bread, fourth-year volunteer Pat Toothman, said she finds giving back to the community and volunteering on Thanksgiving is very gratifying.
“Words without deeds are empty,” Dave Mazon, first-year volunteer.
Mazon said he was looking for opportunities to volunteer over the holidays when he found out about the meal. He said what the church does is “phenomenal.”
“It puts into perspective how many people would have missed dinner and gone without,” he said. “
Between mouthfuls of food, Amy Loziar said she’s been attending the dinner for three or four years.
“I think it’s a good idea,” she said. “Not just for the homeless but for those with nowhere to go and who need a place to go eat.”
Pastor Randy Flannagan began the feast with a prayer.
He said the meal was a blessing and a wonderful thing.
“It literally involves the entire community,” he said. “As we eat today it will be like a glimpse of heaven; the young and old rich and poor all sitting and eating together.”
King said the turn-out this year was good. She expected and hoped to serve about 600 plates, she said.
Story by William Dean