Plains Church on the Move serves Thanksgiving dinner

It wasn’t the scope of feeding thousands from a single basket of fish, but for those who otherwise may not have been able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, it was every bit a blessing.

For the volunteers from the Plains Church on the Move, it was equally gratifying.

Wednesday morning volunteers began preparing a grand Thanksgiving Day meal that would ultimately fed more than 120 people from throughout the area, many of whom would not have had such a feast or dined alone.

“What is it that motivates us to do this?” asked church member Bill Albe in response to a query about his role in the dinner prep and serving. “It’s a way to serve God and equally importantly because it’s the right thing to do.”

And, Albe added, the spirit of support from the community and fellow church members not just for the dinner but also support for the local food bank is indicative of a healthy spirit of giving in the Plains area.

“Normally at this time of year we have about 25,000 pounds of food on hand,” he said. “This year as of November we had 55,000 pounds available.”

In addition to preparing the Thanksgiving meal, Albe said the Food Bank has distributed 125 turkeys this season, along with other food items and household goods.

“We have enjoyed solid support from companies like Town Pump and their donation matching program,” Albe said. “In addition to the food donations, we’ve received $75,000 in monetary contributions.”

That, Albe said, is despite a pandemic.

“We’ve had people come in and donate T-bone steaks,” he said. “And most of those people have been asking how they can help. It has been a really wonderful response to our needs.”

The cooks and preppers who helped put the Thanksgiving dinner together were all in agreement that doing so was being part of doing God’s work and as Albe said, the right thing to do.

One of those peeling and slicing potatoes and other vegetables a day ahead of the dinner was Plains resident Jack Dowell. He and other volunteers peeled, sliced and produced more than 50 pounds of mashed potatoes, along with similar amounts of turkey dressing.

Dowell, who moved to the Plains area from Illinois 19 years ago, said he was very happy and blessed to be part of the act of kindness.

“I got involved with the Food Bank and this (Church on the Move) is what I consider my home church,” Dowell said. “We all do this for the same reason, to serve God and help people”.

Amber Dimond echoed those sentiments.

“I’ve lived in Plains for 20 years,” she said. “My husband and I started coming to the church three years ago. Helping out in this way is something we enjoy doing and it really has been a blessing to be part of”.

Their efforts were greatly appreciated by those who came to dine.

“Many of those who come into the dining area say ‘wow, look at this,’” Albe added. We pat them on the back and say, this is for you”.

Photo 0328 is of Bill Albe (gray sweatshirt), Jack Dowell, (blue Jacket) and Amber Dimond (center background) chopping vegetables during preparation for the Thanksgiving meal