The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

November 26, 2009

Away from home for Thanksgiving

Church serves all who come to eat

By Matt Snyder

Thanksgiving is the holiday with all the family time of Christmas and only the food-related stress. But sometimes fate works against every effort to get together with loved ones.

That’s where community events come in, like the Thanksgiving dinner held at noon today in the social hall of Bethany Presbyterian Church, Mercer. The social hall is in the church’s basement.

The dinner, which includes turkey and all the trimmings, has been put on by Bethany for close to two decades in an effort to gather together people in the community who for whatever reason can’t be with family for Thanksgiving, said this year’s organizer, Betsy Rust.

“We provide turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, and apple sauce,” said Mrs. Rust. “And if they can, if they’re able to, they can bring a dessert or a vegetable to share.”

It’s a no-charge, community event, and it’s brought out some interesting people over the years, Mrs. Rust said. They’ve had all kinds. Sometimes homeless people will come, but also folks who just couldn’t get their Turkey Day feast together.

One year, a young couple brought their five-day-old infant. The mother had just gotten out of the hospital the day before, Mrs. Rust said. She said it’s doubtful in all the action they felt up to preparing a big dinner.

Others who attend are just unable to get together with their families, who could be scattered across the country, Mrs. Rust said.

Either way, they’ve put together three turkeys and peeled 25 pounds of potatoes in preparation for a feast that usually includes about 50 participants, she said.

“I can’t imagine anyone going hungry.”

Organizers have been donating food and time, Mrs. Rust said. County Market chipped in with the three turkeys, and three church volunteers are baking and stuffing them.

Others have set tables, peeled potatoes, or volunteered to post fliers or wash dishes.

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