15th Anniversary For Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner

By Nichole Fetters

Florissant has always been a town that does all it can to take care of its own. It’s a town of compassion, of unity, and of joyful celebrations. Thus,  it’s not surprising fact that our city is home to two incredibly impacting not-for-profit organizations that really speak the meaning of Thanksgiving and the holidays

For the past 15 years, The Ecumenical Thanksgiving  Dinner has been blessing citizens of Florissant and the surrounding area with a free dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

The 15th Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner will be held once again at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church on Nov. 28 from 11:30 a.m. through  3 p.m.  

Although St. Ferdinand Catholic Church is the site of the
Thanksgiving Dinner, it’s a labor of love for six North County churches each year who provide volunteers and coordinate this annual community event. This photo is from last year’s dinner.

Six area churches and dozens of volunteers join forces each year to host this delicious celebration of unity and interfaith thanksgiving. Much effort is poured into the dinner’s success throughout the year. Volunteers not only dedicate their holiday to those who attend the dinner, but all year long as they plan and prepare in order to ensure that all who do come to St. Ferdinand Catholic Church on Thanksgiving Day will feel welcome, wanted and leave full.

With this year being the 15th Anniversary of the first Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner held in 1999, members of the organization are especially excited and eager to make this year’s dinner the best one yet.

To ensure the future success of The Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner, the committee is searching for new volunteers not only to help serve on Thanksgiving Day, but who are willing and wanting to join them throughout the year to make this event one of the most impacting celebrations in North County.

For further information on attending, joining, or donating to The Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner, visit their website at www.freedinner.org

Every year, whatever food is not consumed at The Ecumenical Thanksgiving Dinner is donated to TEAM (The Emergency Assistance Ministry), another not-for-profit organization in Florissant that supports local residents with food donations not only on Thanksgiving, but on a monthly basis all year round.

TEAM was founded in 1986 and is supported by over 120 volunteers and 32 area churches. The food pantry is located at 265 Saint Catherine and provides supplemental food and basic household items to local families in need. As in recent years, the demand is always there for more items

To donate,  call TEAM at 314-831-0879.

 

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