Volunteers needed to help with free Community Thanksgiving Peace Meal

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November 19, 2023

Free gathering starts at noon Thanksgiving Day at First Presbyterian Church

Community volunteers are needed to help with the eighth annual Community Thanksgiving Peace Meal hosted by Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice on Thursday, Nov. 23, at First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, 1615 Clark Ave.

The traditional dinner menu includes turkey, mashed potatoes, yams and much more, as well as vegetarian options. 

The event relies on community volunteers and support. To sign up to help, visit sojwj.org. Needed are volunteer cooks, servers, and financial donations. Several hundred people are expected, including those with transportation challenges.

“Many people in our community are unable to be with their families this year,” Vanessa Houk of SOJWJ said in a news release, “and we hope they will join us. At our twice-weekly peace meal, we have seen an upsurge in folks who are food insecure, including families, seniors and people who are housing insecure. We invite anyone who is hungry for food, or community. We know from past years that this annual event is especially nourishing as the love that fills the room will sate much more than hunger.” 

The free meal is set for noon to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, at the church, which is located at the corner of Siskiyou Boulevard and Walker Avenue.

Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings together labor unions, religious congregations, student groups and community organizations to work to improve working peoples’ standard of living, job security and their right to organize.

SOJWJ’s peace meal program offers a warm, nourishing meal twice a week in Lithia Park at 3:30 p.m. near the gazebo. 

Source: Southern Oregon Jobs With Justice news release. Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at [email protected] or call or text him at 541-631-1313.

Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

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