H
Highwayhound
Guest
Thanksgiving is soon to be here. How many people who see social problems in their communities are inviting someone in need to dinner?
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N
Nepenthe
Guest
We are! One of our very dearest friends, an impoverished, rail-thin (though we do try to feed her up when we’re there!) student who hasn’t seen her family for years, and barely ever gets a full, coma-inducing meal…well, we’re insisting she come to my family’s feast, with plenty of leftovers, and what may still remain, we’re trading or giving to some of my less-richly-endowed friends who live in the hardknock ghetto - although I’m hoping for some trading, because the two I’m thinking of are incredible cooks! 
But you bet, I’ve worked in ‘soup kitchens’, delivered meals to the elderly, whatever I could think of as a relatively poor person myself - because the joyful company is primary, and I too happen to be pretty amazing in the kitchen!
But you bet, I’ve worked in ‘soup kitchens’, delivered meals to the elderly, whatever I could think of as a relatively poor person myself - because the joyful company is primary, and I too happen to be pretty amazing in the kitchen!
R
RobHom
Guest
If not inviting someone to their home…How many are giving food or money to good solid charities who feed the poor?
My favorite charities are St. Vincent DePaul, and I also give through my Elks Club…
My favorite charities are St. Vincent DePaul, and I also give through my Elks Club…
B
Beautiful
Guest
Yup
Once again my family has chosen to give to organizations that help those in need rather than do wrapped gifts under our tree.
Catholic Relief Service
Local Catholic Charity
Local emergency helicopter flight
Local Diocesan Appeal
Camp Good Days and Special Times for children with cancer
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puzzleannie
Guest
plan on serving 500 dinners TG day, about half will be carry out, and more than half of those will be delivered to seniors and shut-ins. over 100 volunteers from the parish will be cooking, serving, delivering and cleaning up, in shifts.
started with serving about 150 2 yrs ago, and it has just grown. all food is donated.
hundreds of new small appliances have also been donated and will be given to those who come to eat. our town is on the main highway north so we get a lot of transients and homeless through the parish, which is right downtown. Those eating will be the ones who don’t get one of 250 turkey+food baskets this week by St. Vincent, because they are the ones who have no place to cook a turkey.
started with serving about 150 2 yrs ago, and it has just grown. all food is donated.
hundreds of new small appliances have also been donated and will be given to those who come to eat. our town is on the main highway north so we get a lot of transients and homeless through the parish, which is right downtown. Those eating will be the ones who don’t get one of 250 turkey+food baskets this week by St. Vincent, because they are the ones who have no place to cook a turkey.
T
T700
Guest
Wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without sharing our blessings. Well, that and giblet stuffing. 
Paul
Paul
S
survive
Guest
Our community has a community dinner. I plan on it. I might try to volunteer but it’s usually overstaffed if anything IIRC from years ago, so probably not, and anyway I’m growing old and idle. 
Oh, OK, I’ll try to see what I can do.
Oh, OK, I’ll try to see what I can do.
A
Appleby
Guest
Nobody has invited ME to Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, in the 11 years I have lived in this city, nobody has ever invited me to his or her home AT ALL.
H
Highwayhound
Guest
The Holy Spirit is on the move…Our community has a community dinner. I plan on it. I might try to volunteer but it’s usually overstaffed if anything IIRC from years ago, so probably not, and anyway I’m growing old and idle.
This is most unfortunate. If you lived close enough you would be welcomed for dinner or for that matter if there were more time you would be welcomed.
My new renters and their 6 kids are coming over tomorrow for dinner. The kids ages are 14 down to 1. The turkey is just shy of 30 lbs. Godzurkey if you will. I usually buy a 22 pounder.
I had also invited a fellow voluteer fireman and his wife for dinner. He had lost his job (he found a new job), but I have not heard back from him. Tonight is drill night so I will check with him.
God bless
E
Eucharisted
Guest
My family won’t allow it, and I don’t have the money to get a feast myself. But, lest I scandelize anyone, I do have money for charity, by the grace of God.
A
Appleby
Guest
I sent out money to the Mission for dinners. Me, i will have Lean Cuisine.
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puzzleannie
Guest
St Vincent de Paul planned for 500 dinners, found out over 700 tickets went out because many families took multiples, found donors for more food, actually served over 900 meals. Plus planned to give out 150 food baskets during the week, actually gave out over 200, plus lots of other food
plus 175 small appliances
plus furniture, including beds, to 5 homes where people were sleeping on the floor
plus 800 lbs of clothing and shoes
this thread reminds me of something sweet my kids did, when they met some new kids at their school. The father had just been transferred, and they were living in a motel waiting for their house to be ready. They could not travel home for the holidays because the new job kept him working. My kids organized their friends and took Christmas dinner, some gifts and even a small decorated tree to their motel room. this was all teens, no parents involved.
plus 175 small appliances
plus furniture, including beds, to 5 homes where people were sleeping on the floor
plus 800 lbs of clothing and shoes
this thread reminds me of something sweet my kids did, when they met some new kids at their school. The father had just been transferred, and they were living in a motel waiting for their house to be ready. They could not travel home for the holidays because the new job kept him working. My kids organized their friends and took Christmas dinner, some gifts and even a small decorated tree to their motel room. this was all teens, no parents involved.
T
T700
Guest
Invite them to your place; that’s what my wife and I do. Doesn’t matter if you have a tiny apartment or a large house, just adjust the number of guest accordingly. Actually, the more the better.
If you can’t afford to feed everyone, make it a potluck (everyone brings something). Be creative and you’ll be surprised how far a few dollars worth of food will go.
If all else fails, ask at your church or social service organization for shut ins to visit. Or see if a nearby nursing home welcomes visitors on that day.
My point is, if no one is breaking down your door with invitation, don’t be passive; create your own. It really does work.
Paul
C
Charybdis
Guest
We are in a new area having moved here just about 4 months ago for a new job and my wife suggested we invite a lonely person over for Thanksgiving dinner. To tell you the truth, I was a bit apprehensive but we arranged for a man who goes to our church to come over.
He has no family in this area either and spends his Thanksgivings alone. He came over and it was a very delightful experience! We got to know him better and he got to know us as well. We had a very tasty dinner…
It was a wonderful experience and hopefully made his day by sharing a meal with my wife and I and our 4 children!!
He has no family in this area either and spends his Thanksgivings alone. He came over and it was a very delightful experience! We got to know him better and he got to know us as well. We had a very tasty dinner…
It was a wonderful experience and hopefully made his day by sharing a meal with my wife and I and our 4 children!!
S
sarah_anne_628
Guest
Last year, we tried to invite soldiers (particuarly single soldiers) whose families are far away but no one would come.
This year, my husband is deployed (while it seems like the rest of the base is coming home now). It was just me and the cats and I had to put one down on “Black Friday”.
I wanted to volunteer to serve dinner somewhere…but I just didn’t know where to go. The one event I knew about was canceled. Now because of the cat being sick, I’m glad I didn’t go anywhere.
This year, my husband is deployed (while it seems like the rest of the base is coming home now). It was just me and the cats and I had to put one down on “Black Friday”.
I wanted to volunteer to serve dinner somewhere…but I just didn’t know where to go. The one event I knew about was canceled. Now because of the cat being sick, I’m glad I didn’t go anywhere.
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