Community Thanksgiving Luncheon

East Norwalk United Methodist Church, with the cooperation of Grace Epsicopal Church, will be preparing and serving their annual thanksgiving Dinner for those in need in Norwalk. Please consider signing up on the sheets in our Memorial Room to share your bounty with others. There is, of course, always the need for prepared food. There is also an opportunity to give the gift of set-up and clean-up. You could also help peel potatoes. And pray for the volunteers and the guests. Be generous! This is how we may help East Norwalk UMC provide for others so no one need go hungry during the week we celebrate what we have been so graciously given by our Creator.

Here is a letter from Jessie McGarty, the Community Thanksgiving Luncheon Coordinator:

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Dear friends:

We are celebrating 10 years of the Community Thanksgiving Luncheon at the East Avenue United Methodist Church. Our holiday feast of turkey and all the trimmings and homemade desserts completely FREE of chart has happened for a decade because of you!

This year our luncheon will be held as always, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 23rd at 12:00 noon until 2PM. Please spread the word! All are welcome and it's a terrific way to begin the holiday season.

For our previous volunteers, I look forward to working with you again and hope this message finds you well and happy. For folks considering joining us, our returnees can tell you it's well worth the effort.

I appreciate your valuable time so therefore I try to keep this as simple as possible by multitasking our preparation. For example, Saturday, November 22nd from 10 AM until noon, we begin. While some people may be peeling potatoes, others will be setting up the dining area including table arranging and decorating. At this time I will explain how Sunday will run and answer any questions.

On Sunday, volunteers arrive at 11AM. Everyone will be given an assigned position to work. If there is a specific job you would like to do i.e. cooking, serving, cleanup, please contact me before the day of the luncheon and I'll do my very best to place you there. Please be aware that everyone will need to be flexible. Positions will ultimately be determined where help is most needed.

I understand not everyone can commit to both days. Please know I am grateful for however much time you are able to contribute. In order for this tremendous undertaking to succeed, it is important that I do have a strong idea of how many volunteers will be joining us and when. Please let me know at your earliest convenience.

There are also many tasks that need to be done in the weeks before the luncheon. Flyers need to be distributed and donation requests made, just to name a few.

Soon I will send out our Perishable and Non Perishable Items Wish List. Contributions can be dropped off at the church as well as the Senior Center on Allen Road. Details will follow.

I must also mention we have a terrific bunch of volunteers from Grace Episcopal Church joining us this year. WELCOME and thank you in advance!

You can contact me by e-mail at jjdivamom@aol.com (preferred method) or by leaving a message at the church at 866-6757.

I cannot thank you enough for being a part of this feast that brings joy to so many.

Most sincerely,

Jessie McGarty

Community Thanksgiving Luncheon Coordinator @ E.A.U.M.C.