OTHER FREE DINNERS?
If you know of any other free Thanksgiving Day dinners, either on Thursday or before, please let us know on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/JournalNews, or on Twitter at Twitter.com/JournalNews.
Many local residents will spend Thanksgiving Day with family or friends, celebrating all they are thankful for. However, there are many more people around the region that don’t have a place to go, or the ability to afford a Thanksgiving meal.
Several places around Butler County will offer those people a free Thanksgiving dinner, and many are starting as early as Tuesday, which includes the Middletown Area Salvation Army.
The Middletown Area Salvation Army will serve its annual Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday at its center, 1914 First Ave.
Having a Thanksgiving meal for the public is a community service that is an obvious need, said Middletown Area Salvation Army Maj. Sebastian Leonardi. He said these dinners allow people to celebrate Thanksgiving that might not otherwise have a place to go.
“We trying to make sure the people in the community … get a nice hot meal, and they get to celebrate it in their own way,” Leonardi said of the Middletown Salvation Army dinner. About 400 people attended last year’s meal, and Leonardi expects just as many this year.
Dinner will be served a bit differently this year, he said, which will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus, they’ll have live music, in addition to the recorded music that typically accompanies the dinner.
“We want to make an impact on people. You never know how this will impact their minds, and maybe later in life they’ll have an opportunity to help someone out and return the favor they received and give back to the community.”
Other dinners being served this week include:
On Wednesday: The Hamilton Salvation Army will serve its annual Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at 235 Ludlow Ave. Hamilton firefighters will assist in serving the public that attends.
On Thursday: The Edwards Brothers Reception Hall will have its Thanksgiving Day celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at its facility at 1402 First Ave. Hope House Mission said it will not have its celebration this year, instead attending the Edward Brothers Reception Hall dinner. Volunteers can start arriving at around 10 a.m.
About the Author
