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Thankful for community

Ivanhoe’s Thanksgiving dinner is more than a meal — it’s a chance to support community organizations like the Area Food Shelf

Photo by Deb Gau There were smiles all around on Saturday, as area residents gathered at the Ivanhoe VFW hall for a community Thanksgiving dinner. The event, held the weekend before Thanksgiving is observed, is also a fundraiser and food drive supporting the Ivanhoe, Hendricks and Arco Area Food Shelf.

IVANHOE — The meal had started out a little bit slow. Maybe the weather Friday night had something with it, volunteers gathered at the Ivanhoe VFW hall said.

“I was worried the snow would put people off,” said Suzie Morse, who together with Barb Christion was helping keep the pitchers of hot coffee filled.

But they didn’t have to be concerned, as it turned out. By noon, the line for turkey and mashed potatoes was stretching longer, and volunteers were also putting together armloads of boxed meals for takeout orders.

Saturday marked the 18th annual Ivanhoe community Thanksgiving meal. Local residents gathered for dinner, but also brought donations for the Salvation Army kettle, and canned goods and other food for the Ivanhoe, Hendricks and Arco Area Food Shelf.

“This is our fundraiser (for the Food Shelf),” said Beverly Wilson. Aside from the annual Thanksgiving event, the food shelf is community-supported, she said. Over the past 18 years, area residents have helped make the early Thanksgiving into an ongoing tradition.

“It’s a good community gathering,” said Beverly Blanchette of Arco. She and Norbert Blanchette were among more than 200 people who either came in to dinner or had takeout meals delivered. “We get to see everybody and talk to everybody.”

Volunteers are key to getting everything ready for the community Thanksgiving, as well as serving the dinner and cleaning up afterward. On Saturday, the serving line was run by several volunteers from Catholic United Financial, while local 4-H members were doing everything from busing tables to sorting the Food Shelf donations.

“The 4-H is what makes this go,” Wilson said. Besides working at the dinner, volunteers help prepare by making dishes like salads and desserts, she said.

Volunteers said working to put on the Thanksgiving meal was a fun experience in a few different ways. One was getting to help others. Brooklyn Downing said the dinner was a “great opportunity” to support good community causes.

Brayden Downing said his favorite part of working the community Thanksgiving was, “Probably just talking with different people, and getting to know them better.”

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