Only one year after this event was almost cancelled, the Clarion Community Thanksgiving Meal was a big success last Thursday. The meal, because of gathering restrictions and COVID concerns, was served in drive-thru style at the First Lutheran Church in Clarion this year. In barely over an hour, around 225 people had been served up hearty holiday meals to-go.
The menu included regular Thanksgiving fixins’- turkey, potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner roll and a bar. Grant Woodley, pastor of First Lutheran where the meal was hosted, said that the event has become a true community effort. Folks from several area churches donate food and their service. There were over 400 bars alone provided for the meal! Clarion Distributing donated the to-go supplies. Woodley added that a community member and her family donate the turkeys. This year, fourteen turkeys were prepared for the day!
The meal has long been an important event for the Clarion community, said Woodley. “I think it was especially important this year when people were challenged to feel a sense of connectedness,” he stressed. “Many people are fighting feelings of isolation and loss. It is great that the community finds a way to make this happen and can achieve a sense of togetherness through it.”
The Thanksgiving meal was free as always, but many folks offer donations. Woodley says that the money is collected by the Clarion Ministerial Association and used throughout the year to help people in the community.
