From Harford County government:
This year Harford County individuals and families wondering where to find a traditional Thanksgiving dinner can look no further than four area locations. The Sharing Table in Edgewood, Open Door Café in Bel Air, S.M.I.L.E.S. group in Havre de Grace, and Inner County Outreach in Aberdeen are each offering a hot meal to those in need so that no one has to be alone on Thanksgiving or go without a holiday meal.
The Sharing Table will offer their meal on Saturday, November 20, 2010, between 11:30am-1pm at the Prince of Peace Church, 2206 Willoughby Beach Road in Edgewood. The Sharing Table is a coalition of churches, dedicated to reaching out to citizens in need. Groups of people from local churches work together to serve a free meal, most Saturdays, to anyone in need. The Sharing Table provides
nourishment for Senior Citizens, families with children, and anyone having a hard time making it through the month.
There are no requirements and no qualifications. All who are in need of a good meal are welcome; each individual will receive a bag of groceries to take home. The Sharing Table’s goal is to reach out to those in need, and by serving a free meal and offering a friendly face, provide a brief haven from the daily stresses faced by those who have little. For more information, contact 410-652-9572.
The Open Door Café’s 4th annual Share the Harvest dinner will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2010, noon-4:00 p.m., at 528 Baltimore Pike in Bel Air, for nearly 200 homeless men, women and children who reside in area homeless shelters. Guests who are alone and would otherwise not share a holiday meal are encouraged to attend – transportation is available; call 410-838-4393 or email opendoorcafe@verizon.net for more information.
Bob Glock and the staff view The Open Door Café as a “common gathering ground that is refreshingly different.” Not only is their restaurant unique, but their mission is one of community service.
Besides Share the Harvest, The Open Door Café also collects hats, scarves, gloves and warm socks for the homeless, and works with Operation Christmas Child to collect packed shoeboxes for needy children during National Collection Week, among numerous other acts of kindness and goodwill. Financial contributions are welcome. Bob Glock, owner, would like to thank their customers and states, “the customers deserve as much credit as anyone as they volunteer their time and treasure for these outreach efforts.”
Now in their 21st year of serving Thanksgiving meals, Havre de Grace High School’s S.M.I.L.E.S. (Service Makes an Individual’s Life Extra Special) group will offer their holiday meal to anyone who is in need on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2010, 11a.m.-2:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 615 Congress Avenue, Havre de Grace (the meal will be served in the church hall, which is located directly behind the church on Pennington Avenue). “We welcome all who would like to share in the spirit of the day,” says Don Osmond, co-sponsor, S.M.I.L.E.S.
This year they expect to serve nearly 600 meals (200 in-house and about 400 deliveries). Transportation is available; if anyone requires transportation or would like to receive a meal at the hall, call Havre de Grace High School at 410-939-6600 between 2:15-3:15 p.m., Monday-Friday, by November 23. Volunteers are never turned away and can simply arrive on the day to help provide transportation and deliver meals.
On Wednesday, December 1, 2010 (at 3:30 p.m. for seniors; 6:00 p.m. for the general public), Inner County Outreach will host their annual Harvest Dinner at the Aberdeen Boys & Girls Club, 100 E. Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen. Please call 410-272-3278 for information.
Inner County Outreach, a ministry of Aberdeen Bible Church, is a faith-based, not for profit organization. Inner County Outreach began providing services to the community in 1986 and became an IRS 501 (c) (3) incorporated non-profit organization in 1998. Inner County Outreach was started by Pastor Nathaniel Johnson and the members of Aberdeen Bible Church in response to the significant social needs of the community. Since then, Inner County Outreach has grown to offer 10 to 15 programs to address the social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the community.
For more information on the homeless in Harford County, visit http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/Homeless/; for information on volunteer opportunities available throughout the county, visit www.volunteerharford.org.
Nice article concerning Thanksgiving and support. The spelling of Don Osman’s name is incorrect. He is not one of the musical “Osmonds” although he gives so much of himself, he certainly seems to be as energetic as their stage performances. The “S.M.I.L.E.S.” Dinner is always a wonderful affair.
Also, the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance will be hosting a Thanksgiving Day dinner, again, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Aberdeen Fire Hall at Rogers and Franklin Streets in Aberdeen. free of charge and all are welcome. Deliveries are available by calling 410-272-7764. The Pastor is Patricia A. Pringle.