Communities offer free Thanksgiving meals

There are a number of free Thanksgiving meals for those in need being held throughout Butler and Warren counties.

Hamilton

  • 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Grace Chapel of Praise, 621 S. Erie Blvd.
  • 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24 at New Life Vineyard Church, 2470 Princeton Road.
  • Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at Salvation Army, 235 Ludlow Ave.

Middletown

  • 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Salvation Army, 1914 First Ave.
  • 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at Hope House Mission, 34 S. Main St.
  • Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, at Edwards Brothers Reception Hall, 1402 First Ave. Volunteers can start arriving at 10 a.m.

Families can also call Family Services of Middletown, at 513-423-4637, to see if any free Thanksgiving meal boxes are still available.

Oxford

  • 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at Grace Pointe Church, 3727 Millville-Oxford Road.

Pastor Tim Tice, of Grace Pointe Church, said this is the fourth year the church has organized a free Thanksgiving meal. This year’s meal is in partnership with New Life Community Church.

Tice said the meal is focused on international students from Miami University who don’t travel home for the holiday. He said it’s really for any Miami student who stays in Oxford around the holiday. The student population makes up a quarter of the crowd on meal day, Tice said.

“We provide a traditional Thanksgiving family feel,” Tice said. “The international students are fun because they don’t know what Thanksgiving is about.”

Tice said the “huge church potluck” will feed at least 150 people. The church provides turkey and drinks, and those from the church bring a dish to share.

If you need transportation, call the church at 513-523-8653.

West Chester/Liberty townships

  • 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Faith Community United Methodist Church, 8230 Cox Road, West Chester Twp. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Jennifer Withrow, director of missions and outreach, said this will be the church’s fourth year for a Thanksgiving meal. It’s a sit-down dinner where the residents are served the meal.

Withrow said the church offers a community meal every Tuesday night for low-income families. Offered on the same night are life skills classes and free childcare.

“We wanted to do something to support the community and do something to help bring people out of poverty rather than just give charity,” Withrow said of the life skills classes. “To help people be more self-sufficient.”

Withrow said the church usually feeds 250 people every week but anticipates 325 people for the Thanksgiving meal.

Warren County

  • Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Morrow Train Depot, 240 Main Street, Morrow. A carryout option is available.
  • 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at Cornerstone Church of God, 1004 Columbus Ave., Lebanon. There will also be clothing and Christmas presents available free of charge.
  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, at Village Diner, 8133 Ohio 48, Maineville.

Tami Andrews, owner of Village Diner, said this is the sixth free Thanksgiving dinner the diner has hosted. She said 150 people were fed last year, and she anticipates 200 people this year.

“Anyone is welcomed to come, especially the ones in need,” Andrews said.

The meal, co-sponsored by Phipps Auto Parts, will include turkey, ham, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and desserts.

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