Rockbridge Connect & Nourish is inviting the community to pull up a chair at the Rockbridge FriendsGiving Grateful Together Meal on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mezzanine at the Virginia Horse Center. The Thanksgiving dinner is free and open to all area residents.
The meal returns for its second year after a first FriendsGiving that drew hundreds of neighbors to the horse center for an evening of food, conversation and fellowship. Organizers served 615 meals that night to 412 community members in addition to at least 70 volunteers. Unity4Kids delivered another 249 meals to area residents in the days that followed, so nothing went to waste.
“FriendsGiving is about more than a plate of food. It is neighbors sitting down together and reminding one another that no one in our community has to spend the holidays alone,” said Michelle Watkins, executive director of Rockbridge Connect & Nourish. “Everyone is welcome at this table, and we are grateful to share it.”
Organizers describe the dinner as a response to two needs that grow sharper at the holidays: food insecurity and social isolation. Bringing people to the same table, they say, nourishes both body and mind.
Last year’s meal was a true community effort. Area caterers provided sides for the meal, the Rockbridge County High School Culinary Program prepared and carved 40 turkeys, more than 70 volunteers from local schools, employers and neighborhoods helped from setup through cleanup, and local first responders served alongside them. Community agencies hosted resource tables, and a coat drive sent at least 60 diners home with a warm coat.
This year, community partners will be on hand with resource tables, including Project Horizon, Connections Plus, Rockbridge Area Health, Rockbridge Area Social Services, Carilion Clinic, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, Agape Care Group, Rockbridge Area Relief Association, Valley Program for Aging Services and TRIAD Seniors and Law Enforcement Working Together.
To volunteer or sponsor, call Michelle Watkins at (520) 991-3490.
