As Thanksgiving approaches, a coalition of local churches is coming together to ensure that no one in the community goes without a warm meal or a sense of belonging this holiday season. Led by Pastor Richard Berkey and his congregation, this year’s community Thanksgiving dinner—hosted at The Way—is shaping up to be a heartfelt expression of unity, generosity, and faith in action. Dinner will be from 11am to 2pm on Thanksgiving Day.
The inspiration for the dinner came naturally, Pastor Berkey explained. “It’s the right thing to do when people don’t have anything. The church was already talking about helping the homeless, especially with the government shutting down.” His congregation quickly partnered with other local churches, combining their resources and volunteers to make the event possible.
The idea was proposed a couple of months ago when Pastor Berkey met with community members to discuss how The Way could serve those in need. From that meeting, the plan grew into a collaborative mission with multiple churches donating food, while Berkey’s congregation prepares the meals in the kitchen at The Way.
The menu reflects the warmth of a traditional Thanksgiving feast—complete with turkey, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, butter, desserts, and drinks. Several churches are donating homemade desserts, and the organizers hope to serve around 200 people or more. But the generosity doesn’t end with dinner. Guests will also receive groceries to take home, along with blankets and socks to help them through the colder months.
For those who wish to get involved, the organizers welcome donations and volunteers. Community members can reach out to Dawn Mankey at The Way (724-833-1355) to sign up or learn more. Volunteers are needed on Wednesday evening before the dinner for setup, as well as on Thanksgiving Day to help clean up afterward. In addition, a food drive is underway to collect groceries, turkeys, instant mashed potatoes, and desserts—with a goal of gathering 15 to 20 turkeys before the event.
The purpose behind this effort goes beyond simply providing a meal. “We serve a great God who loves people, and we’re the servants He’s chosen to use,” Pastor Berkey said. “We’re all part of one family—the family of God—and we hope everyone walks away with a sense of unity and the love of Jesus Christ.”
Organizers also hope that both guests and volunteers experience a deep sense of community and shared purpose. “We want the people attending to know that they’re not alone and that they have support in this community,” one volunteer explained. With recent cuts to the SNAP program, the dinner also serves as a reminder that local faith communities can step in when needed. For those unable to attend in person, the group is even providing delivery to individuals who are in need. They need only register with the organizers to receive the service.
This Thanksgiving, the message is simple and powerful: Everyone needs to be seen, valued, and fed – both physically and spiritually.
