(Le Mars) — For the past 16 years, the Rejoice Community Church of Le Mars has prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal to be served to the general community, and this year is no different. Mike Metten serves as the pastor of the Rejoice Community Church, and says as many as 70 different volunteers help with the large feast. Pastor Metten says the Community Thanksgiving meal was for many years organized by Gene and Adri Riesch.
Metten says for this year’s Thanksgiving banquet meal, other volunteers have stepped forward to assume the duties of organizing the event.
Metten says the Thanksgiving banquet meal is open to anyone, but it was originally intended for those people who were too far away from their families, or have no family members to share a Thanksgiving meal.
The Rejoice Community Church pastor recites the statistics when preparing a Thanksgiving meal for the general community.
Metten says the Community Thanksgiving meal will consist of many of the traditional foods associated with Thanksgiving.
Metten says each year approximately 600 people are fed the traditional meal. Nearly half the number either have the delivery option, or carry-out. He says the community Thanksgiving meal wouldn’t be possible if not for the volunteers and businesses that donate their time, money, and products.
Delivery of meals will begin at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning, and the doors at the Rejoice Community Church will open at 11:00 a.m. for those wanting to sit down to enjoy their meal. The Thanksgiving banquet will be served until 1:00 p.m. For additional information, you can contact the Rejoice Community Church at (712) 548-4430.
(photos from 2019 event.)
