Feast of friendship served across Alle-Kiski Valley on Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, Freeport native Jean Urik kept her kitchen clean.

She and Don Hines of Butler enjoyed a free holiday turkey meal with all of the trimmings at St. Mary’s Parish on High Street in Freeport.

“It’s hard to cook Thanksgiving for just two people without having a ton of leftovers,” Urik said. “It’s nice to be back in our hometown, too.”

More than 40 volunteers at St. Mary’s cooked 16 turkeys over a two-day period, providing more than 200 free meals on the holiday.

The dine-in option returned this year and anyone in the community was eligible for a free meal.

Free takeout and traditional dine-in holiday turkey meals were offered by numerous of churches and organizations across the Alle-Kiski Valley on Thanksgiving — all thanks to the hard work of volunteers.

Frances Jones of Fawn Township has talked turkey for 27 years as a Thanksgiving Day volunteer at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum.

She said the free turkey meals originally were offered in 1995 to widows and widowers in the congregation.

“It was so well received it’s been done every year,” Jones said. “I’ve volunteered since 1995. If I didn’t come here and do this, I’d feel lost.”

First-time diner Cheryl Fondrk, 63, of Brackenridge enjoyed her free meal in Central’s fellowship hall with longtime friends Wally Howe and Bonnie Spencer.

She said her daughter had other Thanksgiving Day plans and “no one else was cooking.”

“It was wonderful and delicious,” Fondrk said. “It’s food, fellowship and friends.”

Central Presbyterian volunteer Dave Rankin said the dine-in option returned this year after last year’s takeout-only option.

“This is a little more normal this year,” said Rankin of having folks enjoy Thanksgiving together in the church. “We still encouraged takeout meals this year and this year donations were up.”

Rankin said they handed out about 150 turkey dinners.

Mike Costanza, 55, of Washington Township volunteers annually at Cross Roads Community Church on Main Street in Leechburg.

He helped cook 10 turkeys and pitched in with meal prep Wednesday and said volunteering is a priority for him during the holidays.

“I want to serve the community and it makes me feel good,” Costanza said.

Its the 12th year, the church has provided free meals for the community on Thanksgiving Day and organizer Jamie Rimmel said this year’s continuing pandemic forced another cancellation of their usual sit-down meal inside the fellowship hall.

Rimmel said demand for meals is on par with last year’s 200 meals distributed.

“We have 179 meal reservations this year. I think it’s because of the pandemic and word of mouth,” Rimmel said.

A sumptuous buffet awaited about 75 diners at Arnold United Methodist Church in Arnold.

Minister Patty Blosat said she was pleased to see folks sharing a meal together and in-person.

“We must all count our blessings,” Blosat said during a pre-meal prayer. “Last year was a hiatus for us because of the pandemic.”

Arnold Methodist has served a free Thanksgiving Day meal for the last 29 years, with the exception of 2020.

Nancy Planitzer of Arnold was impressed by the buffet that included fresh floral arrangements, turkey and ham, multiple sides and salad and dessert stations.

“This is fabulous. It’s like a wedding reception. And it’s helping the community,” Planitzer said.

Marlene Lynch of Arnold decided to dine at the church at a friend’s invitation.

“This is my first time here with friends and it’s amazing.” she said.