Inaugural Thanksgiving dinner at SCCC well attended
South China Community Church (SCCC) served about 55 people at its first free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 28. Photo by Jayne Winters
by Jayne Winters
South China Community Church (SCCC) served about 55 people at its first free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 28. While SCCC is known for its monthly Blessed Breakfasts and various dinner and soup fundraisers throughout the year, this was the first time its members provided a holiday meal.
The idea was discussed at the September Church Council meeting after a new Sunday service attendee asked if SCCC offered Thanksgiving dinner for people who are alone on the holiday, away from family or simply don’t have the energy or means to make dinner for their small families. Council members voted unanimously to do it and with Debbie Stowe taking the lead, church members enthusiastically got busy!
Dining room set-up and food preparations began Wednesday morning; kitchen workers returned early Thursday to finish cooking, carving, setting tables, slicing pies, etc. Following Pastor Paul Harwath’s opening prayer, folks thoroughly enjoyed their meal. The menu included turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, mashed potato, squash, pearl onions and other veggies, as well as cranberry sauces, homemade rolls, ambrosia, cucumber salad, corn bread, homemade pies and beverages. In addition to the wonderful cooks, there were food and beverage servers, clean-up crews, and, of course, dishwashers!
Many thanks to everyone who helped make this dinner such a success. Donations of food and gift certificates came from Hannaford, Tobey’s, Sam’s Club, Shaw’s, Walmart, and countless church and community members. A free will offering that totaled $236 will be used to help purchase gifts for three families SCCC is sponsoring this Christmas – thank you so much for your generosity!
SCCC’s first Thanksgiving dinner went very well and the church plans to do it again next year. Leftovers were taken to the Bread of Life Ministries, in Augusta, for distribution to two local food pantries. We have much to be thankful for, indeed.
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