WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO) - Wapakoneta's St. Joseph Catholic Church hosted the city's annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
Each year, hundreds in Wapak look forward to a quality meal cooked by a local professional chef. The dinner is open to anyone who would like to eat, whether you're in need or just want to enjoy fellowship with your neighbors. Enough food is donated by individuals and businesses to feed hundreds of people. Besides those who dine in, meals are also delivered to the homes of shut-ins and to first responders who can't take the day off work.
"We also provide family-style meals for the police department, the sheriff's department, and the fire department, so that's another 100 people who get to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner together with their coworkers. Maybe not at home, but we appreciate them working and keeping us safe on the holiday," said Deb Zwez, co-chair of the dinner.
Volunteers spend hours preparing and serving food as a way to show their gratitude for all that they have and do some good for a place they're thankful to live in.
"I believe that community service is kind of the rent that we pay for living in a community where the lights come on when you flip the switch, and water comes out of the faucet, and they pick up your trash. And so, I'm just one of a lot of volunteers who spend time on their holiday giving back to the community," Zwez added.
Free will donations collected at the dinner are used to make sure the event can continue for many years to come.
