Community Thanksgiving dinners | News, Sports, Jobs

Volunteers at Norwood United Methodist Church prepare meals for Thursday’s Thanksgiving distribution earlier this week.
(Photo Provided)

One way Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, rooted in the idea of togetherness, has been with the act of gathering, from food to family.

Various organizations and churches throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley kept the annual Thanksgiving tradition of inclusion alive by providing area residents with free meals, whether as a takeout option or a chance to sit down and eat together.

Norwood United Methodist Church in Marietta announced earlier in the month that folks could place their orders ahead of time for meals of turkey or ham. People picked up their orders Thursday in the alley beside the Colegate Drive church, with volunteers dishing out the meals at 11:30 a.m.

“We have had such great success with giving out free Thanksgiving meals and still have many to give away,” Pastor Dave Hubbard said early in the evening, noting there were still meals being offered on outdoor tables near the alley that evening. The Sidewalk Sanctuary Salvation Center also held a free Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Civitan building at the Washington County Fairgrounds off Front Street. Pastor David Roux wanted to keep the focus on individuals in need of a loving hot meal for the holiday, offering a sit-down dinner with the option of takeout, but no deliveries. Any leftovers were sent to the Oriana home in Marietta.

“We also handed out winter weather accessories and care packages which went to many in need of such, and are grateful to do so,” Roux said.

American Legion Post 159 in Williamstown held its annual Thanksgiving dinner offering pickups, deliveries and dine-in options.