Sharing Thanks and a Table: Community Gathers for Thanksgiving Meal

Alisha Yocum

Volunteers once again gathered at the Vigilant Hose Company Activities Building in Emmitsburg on Thanksgiving Day to serve up a free meal, with all the holiday fixings, to anyone in the community.

Seton Center, a nonprofit whose mission is to offer resources for emergency support services and skill development, catalyzing systemic change for a more vibrant and healthy community, started the free meals last November.

Executive Director Deb Bisenieks remarked that they saw about a 15 percent growth in registered families from their first year to the second year. In total, they served over 140 meals. While pre-registration was encouraged, the group also accepted walk-ins on the day of the event.

Sister Mary Frances Hildenberger and Sister Andrea Miller with the Daughters of Charity, another local nonprofit, were helping to greet families as they entered the building.

“Our mission is to help the less fortunate, and this event is such a great community event we love to be part of it,” Holdenberger said.

Miller stated that it is a great way for the Daughters of Charity to interact with the local community in a friendly manner and is a way to give thanks to God for the things they have been given.

Many of the volunteers from last year were back again, ready to help in whatever way was needed. Bisenieks said she had so many people reaching out to help that she had to cut off volunteers’ applications.

Dwayne Whip and Skyler Shoemaker, grandfather and grandson, enjoyed their meals. Whip said that this is his first time attending the event, but he appreciated the social aspect of enjoying a meal with others.

Families were able to receive free apples, a bag of nonperishable food, and other items as part of the event. This would not be possible without all the local businesses and organizations that donate, which include the Daughters of Charity, Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Hillside Turkey Farm, Carriage House, Bollinger’s Restaurant, Thurmont Kountry Kitchen, Stauffer Funeral Home, Studio 24E, Jubilee, and Wegmans.

Sister Mary Frances Hildenberger and Sister Andrea Miller with the Daughters of Charity help greet families at Seton Center’s Free Thanksgiving Meal event.

Seton Center Executive Director Deb Bisenieks pauses for a quick picture with Robert “Bob” Black from Catoctin Mountain Orchards, who donated apples for the event.