Free Drive Thru Dinner for Community in Need of Goodness is Blessing for Many
June 4, 2020
A thank you shout out to the volunteer parishioners of St Michael Church, Pittston who arranged for a free dinner give-a-way to their neighbors in the community on Thursday, June 4th, 2020. Normally at this time, our parish is busily preparing for our Annual Flea Market and Ziti Dinner in August, an event 23 years old. But with plans on hold, organizers of that event were full on board when our church sexton suggested the idea to instead offer the ziti dinner free to the community. This was a full dinner complete with meatballs and homemade cookies as dessert, given to anyone and everyone who simply showed up.
The event started at 4 pm as a COVID-Safe activity. Participants remained in their cars, forming a winding line through the church parking lot. Many arrived far earlier than planned prior to start as the event was publicized as a first come, first serve until all dinners ran out. Vehicles were directed past two tents where parishioners wearing gloves and face masks handed out the meals, 4 max per vehicle, while maintaining social distancing.
Vehicles directed to form a loop through our parking lot ensured traffic did not back-up on busy North Main Street
We cannot say thank you enough to all who donated to the purchase of food, to the volunteers who cooked, organized, worked outside and in the kitchen and hall, directed traffic and stayed through cleanup. We are grateful to God for the good weather and for making this a success, a small gesture to spread God’s love and joy to our neighbors in response to the impacts of the pandemic. We hope that everyone enjoyed the meals and our only regret is that at the point of running out of food around 5:30 pm, the event ended.
Our volunteer traffic logistics team (Westley, Carl, and Mark) kept a watchful eye on safety
Our Pastor, Fr. Andrii is seen offering meals and joyful greetings to happy visitors
To the continuing support of our church volunteers and also to those in the community who help us as well, we share these thoughts from Hebrews 6:10
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown to him by your service, past and present, to his holy people.”
May Our Gracious Lord bless and protect everyone to stay safe and healthy now and forevermore !
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St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church 