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11th Annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner set at Epworth UMC in honor of founder

November 20, 2018

Epworth United Methodist Church invites one and all to its 11th Annual Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner and Sweatshirt Giveaway Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, from noon to 3 p.m. All are welcome - no reservations are required.

There is a place at the table for everyone. They send a special invitation to those in the deaf community; there will be an interpreter onsite.

Carry-outs and delivery are available. To arrange for delivery, call 302-227-7743, Ext. 117, and leave a message before Thanksgiving Day.

Volunteer slots are still available. To volunteer go to www.eumcrb.org/thanksgiving and click the Volunteer Link. There find where help is still needed - simply add name to the list.

 In 2017 Epworth served Thanksgiving Dinner to 293 guests and 108 volunteers, filled 305 carry-out orders, and delivered 59 meals for an amazing total of 765 meals. Thekitchen@epworth and volunteers cooked 52 turkeys (803 pounds), 250 pounds of potatoes, 120 pounds of sweet potatoes, and 160 pounds of vegetables.

The founder of the annual dinner, Diane Leitch, passed away in 2016, but her spirit remains alive as the team performs its work in her memory.   

A flock of chefs, caterers and retired restaurant owners have begun the annual Thanksgiving migration to Epworth to join the 100-plus other volunteers cooking up the Thanksgiving meal.

Joining the crew this year are: Juan Escamilla, executive chef at Fins on Route One;  Anthony “Tony” Magarelli, executive chef at Sedona an American restaurant in Bethany Beach; Mark Horne, a retired naval officer chef on the USS Iwo Jima; Alvin Ross, a retired Washington, D.C. restaurateur and chef; and Cara Wilson, a busy Rehoboth Beach and Lewes caterer. 

The day includes the annual Sweatshirt Giveaway. A selection of warm and fuzzy sweatshirts will be available to anyone who needs one.

In 2017, over 150 sweatshirts and sweaters were given away, along with socks and hats.

Sweatshirt donations can be made by stopping by the church and leaving freshly laundered, great condition sweatshirts and/or new socks and hats in the donation bin.

Epworth United Methodist Church is located at 19285 Holland Glade Road, just north of Rehoboth Beach off Route 1. Epworth UMC is a church Exploring Faith and Embracing Community; truly practicing open doors, open minds, and open hearts as a member of the Reconciling Ministry Network; and includes American Sign Language services.

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