Jan Voiles
Thanksgiving tradition calls for lots of food, but sometimes in the hustle of the season some folks get overlooked. Thanks to many of the local churches that shouldn’t be the case in Rush County this year.
The “recipe” for the annual, home delivered Rush County Community Thanksgiving Dinner is to take 30 turkeys (cooked and cut up), 30 dozen rolls, 50 pies, 50 loaves of bread, three pounds of onions, 14 dozen eggs and 10 bunches of celery; mix together with about 120 volunteers.
The meal consists of turkey, dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie.
These holiday dinners will be delivered between 3:45 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
The annual meal is delivered to more than 500 persons by volunteer drivers.
Main Street Christian Church in Rushville is planning the annual dinner with guidance and assistance from many churches throughout the county.
To submit the name of someone who should get a meal, call the church office at 932-2997 between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No meals will be served at the church Wednesday evening. If you are calling for someone else, don’t forget to let them know that you have turned in their name. Check with the person before you call to make sure they want the meal and that they will be home.
When you call, give the name, address and phone number. If the recipient won’t be home until the latter part of the delivery time, please note that. If the person has special dietary needs report that as well.
The holiday fare will be delivered to persons who are shut-ins, individuals with low or fixed incomes or those who otherwise might not get a Thanksgiving dinner.
“If you know of someone who might not get a traditional Thanksgiving meal, let us know,” Bonnie Barnes, co-chair of the dinner remarked. “We don’t want to miss anyone.”
If you want to volunteer to help prepare or deliver the meals call the church office. Donations are also welcome, but check first with the church office to see what is needed. Many individuals will prepare the different parts of the meal on Tuesday before bringing the many ingredients together on Wednesday for distribution.
Barnes encouraged anyone interested in helping.
“You start out wanting to help others, but it’s such a blessing for yourself when you see how happy it makes the ones who get the meals,” she said. “All the workers have fun putting the meals together and delivering them.”
The community dinner originally started and was served by members of the Rushville Church of Christ on 11th Street. This is the 12th year that MSCC has spearheaded the community service project.
Jan Voiles can be contacted at jan.voiles@rushvillerepublican.com or at (765) 932-2222 ext. 107. Add a comment to this story at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
