Thanksgiving dinner brings community together in celebration

A tradition was born in 2022, thanks to Ben and Jessica Martin. Hope Community in Buffalo hosts an annual community gathering and Thanksgiving meal for members and residents in the surrounding area. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, the community gathers for a shared meal and fellowship at Hope Community. Attendees share in gratitude for the holiday event served as both a feast and a celebration of togetherness, bringing people from all backgrounds to enjoy a warm-welcoming atmosphere.  

Food and Fellowship

Inspiration for the event grew from a need first observed by Ben who later approached his wife, Jessica, with the idea of preparing a meal for the community. Jessica was on board. “We realized people had nowhere to go and no family to share Thanksgiving with. We realized a need within the church, as well as the community. Cooking a whole turkey is not something most people do if they live alone.” 

The community Thanksgiving meal was first held in 2022. “We prepared and served lunch, keeping the church open as long as people wanted. People stayed until 8:30 p.m. We heated up the leftovers from lunch and had dinner.”

That first group consisted of 21 participants. The following year, 80 people and 20 church members participated. As word spreads and enthusiasm grows, this year may see an even larger number. The meal is great for people who live alone, don’t have the ability to travel far, and for those who seek a connection with others during the holiday season.

The meal serves a large need in the community. Past participants included a single mother with two children and no place to cook, a homeless woman with two grandsons, elderly community members with no family nearby, and a veteran who hadn’t had a Thanksgiving meal in 14 years. 

Jessica shared that in the previous year, a group of people living at the Budget Host Inn with no place to cook, arrived for the community meal thinking it was a dinner rather than a lunch, but they didn’t go away hungry. Hope Community provided them with plentiful food, which they took and were able to have a Thanksgiving meal back at the Budget Host. 

The event is open to all ages. The group plays board games, and kids get in on the fun. Jessica stated, “People come as strangers and leave as friends.”

Community Support Makes It Possible

Any successful community event lies within the hands of the volunteers who work to bring it to light. Volunteers, participants, and community members pitch in to prepare and cook food. The cost of the event is covered by food and monetary donations, along with funding from the church outreach program. Leftovers are packaged and sent home with those who attend. On average, the group prepares five to six turkeys, along with 60 pounds of potatoes, including traditional favorite side dishes of yams, green bean casserole, rolls, desserts, and pie.

Hope Community (206 2nd Ave. NE, Buffalo) will be hosting their 3rd Annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner on Thursday, November 28, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is free and is for anyone looking for a place to get a full turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, who doesn’t have a place to go and would like a chance to connect with other people. 

If you are looking to participate in this year’s Thanksgiving community feast, attendees are asked to sign up on eventbrite.com so that Hope Community can know how many people to expect and how much food to prepare. The event is listed under the name “Third Annual Buffalo Community Thanksgiving meal.” You can also call or text Jessica Martin at 763-202-9189 for more information and to sign up.