NO NEED TO COOK … Many took advantage of the deliciously prepared Thanksgiving dinner which was free at Bridging the Gap on November 19, 2022. Sara Fackler, enjoying supper with her youngsters, Mary, Lee and Joseph, attends the church and was happy to have dinner prepared by someone else. She and Lee both raved about the homemade rhubarb pie. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
On November 19, 2022, the Saturday before Thanksgiving Day, the part of the church called Bridging the Gap, based where the American Legion used to be in Stryker, Ohio, threw open their doors from 2-6 p.m. to serve a free Thanksgiving dinner.
Stryker area residents had been alerted on Facebook for a few weeks and some made their way to enjoy a delicious meal along with church members who also came to eat up the feast that was prepared by church ladies.
The lady in charge, who had the idea last year and finally got to put it into action, was Debbie Callaway.
Callaway was all smiles as she and her team welcomed everyone and served up a definite Thanksgiving feast.
Callaway said they cooked six turkeys, two hams, thirty pounds of red skinned potatoes, large mac and cheese, sweet potato, and green bean casseroles, as well as corn, homemade bread and rolls.
WELCOMING PASTORS…Senior Pastor Ryan Carter and Administrative Pastor Scott Carlin were thrilled with the turnout at the free Thanksgiving Dinner that their church hosted on November 19, 2022.
The ladies of the church baked a wide variety of desserts from rhubarb pie and pumpkin pie, to cupcakes and cookies.
Callaway added that they cooked for 100 but if there were leftovers, the church family would stay after on Sunday afternoon and finish it off.
Bridging the Gap is a relatively new church in Stryker, opening their doors in September of 2021.
They now have between 50-70 in attendance each Sunday. Senior Pastor Ryan Carter said they are not in any way trying to get people to come who already have a home church, but are focusing on reaching the lost.
“We just want to lead as many to Christ as we can and we want to become a part of this community,” Carter said.
This dinner was created and shared with the hope of assisting the Village of Stryker in the efforts already being made by the churches, organizations, government and departments to stir a sense of fellowship and unity.
Rebecca may be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com