LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Lima celebrated Thanksgiving with their annual meal at the Civic Center.
The tradition started back in the 1980s with the Chester Cary family and is now led by Compassionate Ministries of Lima.
Serving warm meals, giving grocery items brought in by the West Ohio Food Bank, and household items provided by Procter and Gamble. Everyone will leave with a full belly or a full bag. The tradition started back in the 1980s with the Chester Cary family and is now led by Compassionate Ministries of Lima. With around 40 years of this tradition, everyone involved wants to see it stick around and are glad to give up a little of their Thanksgiving to give back.
“This is a tradition that I think the community will not let die,” says Jonathan Burkey, director of the event. “We just recognize how important it is. There are so many people that, for different reasons, don't have a place to be on this holiday. Isolation can be dangerous around the holidays, especially in a town full of drug addiction, mental health concerns, and just loneliness. So, we just want to bring the community together and say, "Hey, come here!" It's a beautiful place of hospitality, different cultures, people from different school districts, and different workplaces all coming together to just enjoy a wonderful family time together.”
Serving warm meals, giving grocery items brought in by the West Ohio Food Bank, and household items provided by Procter and Gamble.
“I think that the people of our community are important. It's just a wonderful tradition of generosity, of sharing, of community, and being together. So, we're just honored to be able to do it, to give up a little bit of our time. We're still able to do things with our family for Thanksgiving, but not everyone has that blessing. So, we're grateful and here for it,” says volunteer Megan Rodden.
Nearly 350 people volunteered this year to keep this tradition going.
