Community Thanksgiving Dinner still ready to serve after 23 years

Talk about it

Volunteers will be on hand this Thanksgiving as hundreds of diners are expected at the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Concordia Lutheran Church.

Last year close to 500 people were fed with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and stuffing. The meal is free to the public and lasts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.

Three generations of volunteers are expected to help run the meal, which was started by the late-Fritz Buegel 23 years ago.

“This was very important to Fritz,” said Lisa Boerger, Buegel’s daughter in law. “A couple days before he died he called my husband and asked him if something happened to him, would we keep the tradition going, and he died a few days after that.”

For many the event has become a family Thanksgiving tradition onto itself, including Paulette Ritter, a volunteer for more than 20 years.

“It has become a tradition — that’s our way of giving back,” Ritter said. “That’s Thanksgiving for us. We’ve been blessed so we want to help others.”

The number of people served always depends on the weather, but as in years past volunteers will deliver meals for those unable to physically attend the dinner.

To order a meal call Concordia Lutheran Church at 252-2819, or stop by at 501 First Ave. N to enjoy the meal and some fellowship.

“It’s just for people to come down and visit with other people,” Boerger said.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news