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The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, Christian Life Center and Epworth United Methodist Church's Daily Bread are offering free Thanksgiving meals to the community this weekend and Monday.
Rochanne Downs, FPST vice chairman, said the tribe's Thanksgiving meal has been a tradition for years, and they hold it to give the tribal community the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together.
“We all get busy within our schedules,” Downs said. “We don't spend time with our neighbors.”
Downs said in addition to socializing, there is also gift giveaways and live music.
“You just have a lot of great food, everyone kind of just gets together and enjoys a good meal together, good stories and a lot of laughs,” Downs said.
Downs said the large scale potluck allows for an eclectic feast.
“We have some pretty good cooks in our community,” Downs said. “Everybody brings a little something.”
Cathy Strasdin, church secretary at the Christian Life Center, said the church has done a Thanksgiving meal for over 30 years with the congregation, but during the past several years, it has served the community too, attracting upward to 600 people.
“I think it's always very happy. It's a happy cheerful time,” Strasdin said. “We get so many people complementing and thanking us.”
Strasdin said a fun part of the event is church members serving the guests.
“We serve the people food, so we get to see the people as they go through the line,” Strasdin said. “That works out really nice because it gives us a chance to see more people in our community.”
Strasdin said so many attend, coordinators had to split the guests into groups. The church asks that community members come at noon, service members and their families at 1 p.m. and church members at 2 p.m. This prevents crowding which may be especially helpful this year because Strasdin said they anticipate 900 guests.
“I'm sure this year with the economy, I think there's going to be more people who appreciate it. We look forward to reaching out beyond the four walls of our church.”
Kathy Fraker, volunteer coordinator for Daily Bread, said their Monday night dinner provides regular guests a special event.
“I think it makes them feel a little more special because we try to use fancy napkins and table cloths,” Fraker said. “I hope they feel a little special.”
Fraker said many of the guests who attend Daily Bread have formed good friendships, so for many, it's like being with family.
“I think maybe what makes it special is the crowd that comes to Fallon Daily bread have their own little community,” Fraker said. “We have a lot of older people who come. I think sometimes some of them come because they're lonely.”
Groups providing meals do it for the community, and coordinators hope anyone interested comes and enjoys a nice meal and good company.
“Anybody is welcome,” Fraker said. “No questions asked. Anyone who would like to come is welcome.”
• Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe — Nov. 21, at 1 p.m. at 8955 Mission Road. The FPST provides the meat, guests bring other items.
• Christian Life Center — Nov. 22, 12-3 p.m. at the Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way. For information, call 423-6900. Community invited at noon, NAS service members and families at 1 p.m. and church congregation at 2 p.m.
• Daily Bread — Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, 280 E. Stillwater Ave., 423-4714. Also regular hot meal program, Monday and Thursday 5:30 p.m.
Rochanne Downs, FPST vice chairman, said the tribe's Thanksgiving meal has been a tradition for years, and they hold it to give the tribal community the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together.
“We all get busy within our schedules,” Downs said. “We don't spend time with our neighbors.”
Downs said in addition to socializing, there is also gift giveaways and live music.
“You just have a lot of great food, everyone kind of just gets together and enjoys a good meal together, good stories and a lot of laughs,” Downs said.
Downs said the large scale potluck allows for an eclectic feast.
“We have some pretty good cooks in our community,” Downs said. “Everybody brings a little something.”
Cathy Strasdin, church secretary at the Christian Life Center, said the church has done a Thanksgiving meal for over 30 years with the congregation, but during the past several years, it has served the community too, attracting upward to 600 people.
“I think it's always very happy. It's a happy cheerful time,” Strasdin said. “We get so many people complementing and thanking us.”
Strasdin said a fun part of the event is church members serving the guests.
“We serve the people food, so we get to see the people as they go through the line,” Strasdin said. “That works out really nice because it gives us a chance to see more people in our community.”
Strasdin said so many attend, coordinators had to split the guests into groups. The church asks that community members come at noon, service members and their families at 1 p.m. and church members at 2 p.m. This prevents crowding which may be especially helpful this year because Strasdin said they anticipate 900 guests.
“I'm sure this year with the economy, I think there's going to be more people who appreciate it. We look forward to reaching out beyond the four walls of our church.”
Kathy Fraker, volunteer coordinator for Daily Bread, said their Monday night dinner provides regular guests a special event.
“I think it makes them feel a little more special because we try to use fancy napkins and table cloths,” Fraker said. “I hope they feel a little special.”
Fraker said many of the guests who attend Daily Bread have formed good friendships, so for many, it's like being with family.
“I think maybe what makes it special is the crowd that comes to Fallon Daily bread have their own little community,” Fraker said. “We have a lot of older people who come. I think sometimes some of them come because they're lonely.”
Groups providing meals do it for the community, and coordinators hope anyone interested comes and enjoys a nice meal and good company.
“Anybody is welcome,” Fraker said. “No questions asked. Anyone who would like to come is welcome.”
• Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe — Nov. 21, at 1 p.m. at 8955 Mission Road. The FPST provides the meat, guests bring other items.
• Christian Life Center — Nov. 22, 12-3 p.m. at the Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way. For information, call 423-6900. Community invited at noon, NAS service members and families at 1 p.m. and church congregation at 2 p.m.
• Daily Bread — Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, 280 E. Stillwater Ave., 423-4714. Also regular hot meal program, Monday and Thursday 5:30 p.m.
