CLIFTON — There’s no reason to be alone on Thanksgiving.
The Allwood Community Church at 100 Chelsea Road will be holding its first annual free Thanksgiving dinner for those who have little to do this coming holiday. Anyone who fits the bill need only call 973- 777-6360 and make a reservation before Nov. 14. The event is being held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, between 2 and 4 p.m.
Since it opened in 1932, Allwood Community Church has slowly drawn together a group of recurring members totaling more than 100. With every member that joins, the more activities the church can hold and the more they can give back to the Clifton community.
Even those who do not wish to make a full commitment are welcome to be a part of this friendly family that is accepting of people from any cultural and religious background.
Spearheading the Thanksgiving dinner is church life coordinator Lisa Ackley. Lisa and, husband, Paul Ackley have lived in Clifton for 11 years and have been affiliated with the church for five.
The two earn a living by running At Your Service, a two-year-old business dedicated primarily to senior citizen and pet care. "…We decided to provide the services that are sometimes hard to do yourself and that give us something we obviously all need...TIME!" according to the Web site, www.atyourservicellc.com.
One inevitably drawn correlation is that the Ackleys are givers.
"It’s just in our nature. It’s something we like to do. [The Thanksgiving dinner] will set a good foundation for family values," said Lisa. However, while she hopes the event will rub off on the community, her true goal is to provide free dinner to those less fortunate.
"We’re looking for reservations of one or two, three at the most. We expect a mixed bag of seniors and others without the means [to provide a proper meal.] But anyone is welcome." As of Oct. 30, roughly 20 reservations have been made with a cut-off at 100.
Lisa said she has good expectations for the event. She talks about how she sees a lot of lonely people in her line of work. Many older people have few or none with whom to celebrate the holidays. They don’t have the means or simply don’t want to travel.
She takes some time when asked whether she thinks the current economic crisis might bring even more people. "I don’t know [if that will be a factor.] It was never really about that, it is about giving back." But after further consideration, she said, "I’ve heard about the food pantries closing, so yes, maybe that will bring in more people."
On Thanksgiving Day, all guests will join together at Fellowship Hall. The tables will be set up in a circular fashion so that everyone is together. There will be a buffet that includes the classics, such as turkey, corn and potatoes. "It will be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner," Lisa said.
Among those helping out will be Lisa and Paul. Heading up the kitchen will be church member, and chef, Karl Linder. Pastor Carolyn Keith will also be there to cook and serve food.
Guests in attendance have the Clifton community to thank for their feast. The meal is entirely funded on donations from congregation members, At Your Service clients, friends and family.
While this is the first Thanksgiving, the church has been holding community events for years. "We have craft fairs, fish ‘n chips dinners, bible studies [and more.] We do a lot of missions. We donate to St. Peter's Haven and other organizations," says Lisa.
The church itself has undergone many changes since its construction over 75 years ago, but perhaps none as important as its ever growing desire to give back to the city of Clifton and tighten the bonds of its people. As we move into a new era of mixed religion, the members of the Allwood Community Church place precedence on this important and rewarding common ground.
"Since we’ve joined, congregation has increased," said Paul.
In this currently cruel economic world, it sounds like people are willing to help each other after all.
