For the past 25 years, Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church has provided Thanksgiving meals to shut-ins and to those who live in or near North Royalton, offering a chance to enjoy food and fellowship on the holiday.
This year is no exception.
The Care and Share Thanksgiving Dinner at Royal Redeemer served 100 meals in their first year in 1989. This year, Lisa Martin and her staff of volunteers are planning to serve 1,600 meals on Thanksgiving Day.
Lisa says the number of dinners to be served is up this year because “the Thanksgiving Dinner will replace the North Royalton Community Meal in November that is traditionally served on the last Sunday of the month.” The Community Meal is sponsored by the churches of North Royalton.
For the last 20+ years, Lisa has had the task of overseeing the dinner. I asked Lisa when she starts to prepare the meal for 1,600 people. “In the middle of night on Tuesday,” she said. If it were me, I wouldn’t know where to start. But, Lisa and the volunteers have the process down so it runs like clockwork.
Lisa estimates that she’ll prepare around 850-to-875 pounds of turkey breast for the dinner and have another 10-to-15 whole turkeys on hand. “We received a great price from Giant Eagle for the turkeys we will be cooking,” said Martin.
“And it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving Dinner without all the trimmings. There will be mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls and pie,” she said.
Meals are provided at Royal Redeemer for those who want to eat their Thanksgiving meal with others and share in fellowship. If you are a shut-in, a delivery will be made to your door by a volunteer. The delivery people will share a prayer with those who are receiving a meal. Carry-out service will also be available.
Dinners will be served between 1 and 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Royal Redeemer Church, located at 11680 Royalton Road. Delivery will be made to shut-ins starting at 11 a.m. and will continue until 1 p.m. on November 24. Carry-out will be available starting at 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Senior Pastor Reverend John Zahrte said the volunteers who go out and put their faith to work on Thanksgiving serve God as they serve others. “The Care and Share meal is a wonderful, joyful opportunity for people at Royal Redeemer to use their God-given gifts, abilities and time to reflect the love of Christ. Whether it’s serving meals here on campus or delivering them directly to a home, it is a privilege for us to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus to our neighbors. Our hope and prayer is that, through this tangible act of kindness, others might also come to know their gracious God who unconditionally loves them.”
Organizers ask that, if possible, to call ahead to make a reservation if you are coming to the Church for dinner or need to have a Thanksgiving meal delivered.
To make a monetary or a grocery donation for the Care and Share Thanksgiving dinner at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, or to make a reservation, call the Church at 440-237-7958.

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer