Annual community Thanksgiving dinner offers attendees homemade food, camaraderie

Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski adds some cranberries to her salad plate at this year’s community Thanksgiving dinner, held at St. Benedict Catholic Church. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

By Zach Jensen,

Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski adds some cranberries to her salad plate at this year’s community Thanksgiving dinner, held at St. Benedict Catholic Church. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

The COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on Decorah’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner, hosted by St. Benedict Catholic Church and First United Methodist Church, but the dinner’s volunteers say the meal’s numbers are on the rise once again. 

Judy Holthaus, who has volunteered at the event the last 18 years, said 270 meals were carried out and delivered this year to area first responders who couldn’t leave their posts and residents who couldn’t leave their homes.

“This is what we’re supposed to do as human beings,” said Thomas Hansen, the event’s coordinator, who’s been volunteering for the dinner for 26 of its 37 years. “We’re supposed to care for one another. We’re not supposed to just talk about unity — we’re supposed to do it. This is my favorite holiday, because it’s a time we can set aside our differences and enjoy a meal together.”

The meal featured real mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, green bean casserole, cranberries, dressing and a number of homemade salads, desserts and pies — the meal is made possible through free-will donations and volunteers.

“My friend asked me to come help five years ago, and I just love it,” said Ruth Skertrud. “We’re serving the community, and to be a part of Thanksgiving is just wonderful.”

Holthaus said the meal isn’t only for people who can’t afford dinner but also for those who can’t visit family over the holiday or who don’t have others with whom to share Thanksgiving.

“I was invited by a few friends in town,” said Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski, who enjoyed this year’s dinner. “It was great to see the large number of volunteers making the event possible. The conversations were lively, and it was fun seeing people I had not seen for a long time. I’m grateful for the work that is put forth for making this event such a success.”

Holthaus said the community meal also offers those in attendance something they might not even realize they’re missing.

“There are so many people who are in need of not only a meal but love,” she said. “The conversation, having people around them — to be able to provide that is such a good feeling. Even though they’re not blood-related, they’re family when they come in here.”

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