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Highlands Today

Plans begin for free turkey dinners

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: October 26, 2009

SEBRING - Good gravy! One can almost smell the aroma of Thanksgiving preparations heating up across the county.

Planners expect that the sagging economy may lead to a greater turnout this Thanksgiving Day than in years past.
Faith Lutheran Church
Among those providing free meals to the community is Faith Lutheran Church, located at 2740 Lakeview Drive, in Sebring.

The church is hosting a free traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner for the unemployed, homeless, those who are alone and seniors of Highlands County.

"This is the first Thanksgiving Day dinner that we've done in many years," said Lea Ann Curry parish nurse at Faith Lutheran Church.

"We have a care and concern committee and with the economy the way it is this year, we decided to start it up again. We're planning on feeding at least 200 people, but we won't turn anyone away."

The church has a generous donor who told the committee not to put a limit on it, said Curry. If they run out of turkey they have hams they would serve, she said.

They're also blessed that they have a former caterer heading it up this year, she said.

Due to limited seating there are three seating times available: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 26.

Those wishing to attend one of these meal-times must register for the dinner by calling the church office at 385-7848 before the Nov. 13 deadline.

"When you call to register we need your name, telephone number, number in your party and your requested seating time," said Curry.

"Donations for this dinner are being accepted. Turkeys and canned vegetables as well as financial donations are appreciated."

They also want to contact some of the local hospice units and get addresses to deliver some hot meals to the patients and their caregivers, she said.

Any of the unused foods will be donated to New Testament Mission. So nothing will go to waste.

Planning meetings are being held at the church at 12:30 p.m. each Monday until Thanksgiving.

For more information or to make a donation, call Curry at 385-1234; or call Jane Cooper at 464-1161; or June Hiltner at 385-2655, or the church office at 385-7848.

Union Congregational Church

Plans are already under way to feed about 800 people this year at and through Union Congregational Church in Avon Park, surpassing last year's record of 750 meals served.

"We'll be taking them to nursing homes and to people who need it," said Chris Hess on Friday afternoon. "There's a sign-up sheet for anyone who wants to be a part of it."

That could include delivering meals all the way to some folks in Lake Placid, she said.

"Our Fellowship Hall is open and we all eat together at 1 p.m., or they can pick it up," she said.

The church needs volunteers for everything from delivering dinners, to meal preparation to peeling potatoes. They are also taking donations of turkeys, pies, bags of stuffing, and canned green beans. Cash donations are always welcome as well.

Send donations to Union Congregational Church, 106 N. Butler St., Avon Park, Fla., 33825, mark Thanksgiving feed in the memo section of the check.

There will be a mandatory meeting for the drivers at 6 p.m. Nov. 23 at the church library.

Anyone interested in helping or in receiving a meal delivery can call Chris Hess at the church number 453-3345, Ext. 113; Angelea Springsteen, at Ext. 104; or Karen Weeks, who is heading up the dinner, at Ext. 119.

Atonement Lutheran Church

The Atonement Lutheran Church has scheduled a planning meeting for 5 p.m. today at its church social hall for its fourth annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner.

The church committee is in need of turkeys, pies, and donations of the fixings consisting of stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, gravy and green beans. The church committee will also need plates and utensils.

The church is located at 1178 Lakeview Drive, in Sebring, across from the Sherwin-Williams Co. paint store.

The dinner will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, and is free to anyone who wishes to attend.

Last year, they served about 400 meals. But with the economy the way it is they hope to serve as many as 600.

There will also be drop-off points set up at Lemon Street and at the coin laundry next to the Blue Crab restaurant on North Ridgewood Drive starting at 1 p.m. Nov. 26.

They will also need volunteers to prepare and serve the meals. These meals take a lot of planning and preparation. Anyone interested in baking, cooking, serving and helping or making a donation can reach Graff at 835-2548.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army plans on serving a Thanksgiving meal, but plans were not available late last week.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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