Community Thanksgiving celebrates 25 years

by Diane Rockall

Lena Montgomery and her son Beau, along with Craig and Laurie Goodlock, started a community tradition 25 years ago. The first Community Thanksgiving was held at Munith Methodist Church. It grew out of the desire to share our blessings and our thanks with all in the community.

In the first year, 25 dinners were served in-house and 25 were delivered, all financed by a generous $200 anonymous donation. Lena talks fondly about the 20 years she served as coordinator of the event.

Within a few years, the dinner and preparation for it became too large for the Church facility. One year it was served in the American Legion Hall and for a few years Stockbridge Township Hall was used.

During some of these years, advance preparation was done at the Hankerd Hills kitchen, where Lena’s sister Anna Hartunian worked. Due to the efforts of Bruce Brown, the Community Thanksgiving moved to its present location at Heritage Elementary School where serving and preparation can be done in the same facility. Dinner is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with preparations completed ahead of time.

Lena remembers stories happy and sad as well as the many significant volunteers who have helped over the years. Laurie Zemke and her Girl Scout troop baked cookies and community. Members also baked homemade pies with Kay Batdorf’s as the cornerstone in early years. Lena particularly remembers the help of Sandy Kaye, John and Nancy Ocwieja and Julie and Mike Glair as well as the many other volunteers. The theme has always been “Nobody has to eat alone. You only have to be hungry.”

Julie and Mike began volunteering when their daughter, now a senior, was a preschooler. They are now in their 14th year. Julie assumed directorship from Lena. At one time all foods were donated, but today donations provide money for everything except the home-baked pies and cookies, which are still donated by local residents.

Those wishing to help support the event may send donations to Stockbridge Community Schools – Memo line Thanksgiving, 100 Price Ave. Suite A, Stockbridge, MI 49285. Everything is paid for before the event begins. Excess funds go on to fund future years. Gifts or donations at the event are discouraged. All leftover food goes to the Jackson Interfaith Shelter immediately after food service ends. If you would like to help with preparations or place pickup or delivery requests, please call 517 812 3217 after October 31 only. Remember food service this year begins at 11:30 and runs until 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Come hungry and leave full of food, friends and thanksgiving.