Giving Thanks Meal Returns for Final Thanksgiving at Old Celina High School

Click to Listen

CELINA — The annual Giving Thanks Community Thanksgiving Meal will return Thanksgiving Day, offering free meals, carryout service and homebound deliveries throughout the area.

The Celina meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, November 26, at the old Celina High School, 715 Wayne Street. This will be the final year for the meal at the old school.

Giving Thanks Committee chairpersons Brian and Michelle Miller discussed the event during an appearance on WCSM Radio’s Spectrum program with host Kevin Sandler.

The meal is free and open to everyone, regardless of age, income or personal circumstances. A freewill donation box will be available, but contributions are not required.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re at in life or what your financial position is,” Brian Miller said. “We just want you to come together as a community and enjoy a meal.”

The dinner will include turkey, mashed potatoes, noodles, green beans, gravy and desserts.

Guests may dine at the school or enter through the east doors to pick up carryout meals. People attending the dinner may also take a meal to a neighbor, friend or relative who cannot leave home.

Homebound deliveries will be available in Celina, Coldwater and St. Marys. Requests must be submitted by 4 p.m. Tuesday, November 24.

For a delivery in Celina, call Katie at 520-250-1746 or the Celina Mercer County Chamber of Commerce at 419-586-2219. Coldwater requests may be made by calling 419-852-0428. St. Marys requests may be made by calling 419-305-1997.

People receiving deliveries are asked to leave their porch lights on and remain home so volunteer drivers can locate them.

Approximately 150 volunteers help prepare, serve, package and deliver the meals. Organizers estimated that more than 950 meals were served last year.

The Giving Thanks meal dates back to 1997, when approximately 40 people attended an event organized by Montezuma United Methodist Church at Franklin Elementary School. Phil and Lynn Cozad brought the event to Celina in 1999.

Additional Giving Thanks meals are held at St. Marys Memorial High School and the Coldwater American Legion.

The committee is also seeking dessert donations, including pies, cakes, cookies and pumpkin rolls. Donations may be dropped off at the east entrance of the old Celina High School from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, or beginning at 7 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.

Anyone with questions about dessert donations may contact Pam Miller at 419-305-3135.

Organizers are discussing future location options with Celina City Schools. Brian Miller said the committee will likely consider the new Celina High School after reviewing its layout.

The committee is encouraging residents to dine at one of the three locations and share Thanksgiving with others in the community.