Editorial - Don't be alone this Thanksgiving

Talk about it

It’s easy to take Thanksgiving and all the trimmings for granted.

For many, the holiday is a special time shared with family or friends. It’s a time to renew traditions, reminisce about Thanksgivings past and enjoy a festive feast of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and all the other favorite foods of the season.

But it’s not that way for everyone.

For some, it’s just another Thursday.

For some, the holiday brings pangs of loneliness for loved ones lost.

For some, the thought of a home-cooked meal and friendly conversation is only a distant memory.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though.

Fortunately, here in Douglas County, no one should have to spend Thanksgiving in lonely isolation.

Here are a couple of options:

•St. Mary’s Church in Alexandria will host a free community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be held in the St. Mary’s School cafeteria, 421 Hawthorne Street.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Rainbow Rider will provide transportation to and from the school at no charge. There is also a free meal delivery program for the homebound.

For reservations, transportation or delivery, call (320) 766-2422.

To volunteer or donate pies, call (320) 834-3140

•A free community Thanksgiving dinner will be served at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Osakis on Thursday, November 26 at noon. All ages are welcome at no charge. The traditional menu will be served.

Reservations can be made by calling the church at (320) 859-4550 or call 859-3301. Transportation and meal delivery will be available. Donations will be accepted for the Douglas and Todd County food shelves.

The volunteers who sacrifice so much precious time and energy into helping others enjoy a brighter Thanksgiving deserve a special thank you. They could have spent the time with their own families but instead they devoted themselves to a deeper meaning of Thanksgiving.

We’ve covered these annual events. We’ve seen the grateful eyes of those receiving a warm plate of Thanksgiving fare. We’ve heard the appreciative comments from the diners, who said the meal gave them not just nourishment but also a sense of belonging to a group of people who truly cared about them. That’s what family – and community – is all about.

Tags: opinion, editorials, thanksgiving