Bright and early on Thanksgiving Day, ten Blue Ridge Job Corps Center students joined members of the VFW Post 4667, civic groups, town officials, area church-es, and local fire and emergency agencies at Marion First United Methodist Church to prepare “to go plates”, deliver meals, serve people in the dining hall, clean up, socialized and provided a warm smile to everyone in attendance. Marion Mayor, David Helms with the help of Marion Primary School and Marion Middle School staff cooked about 20 turkeys.
The idea took root on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 1988; when Executive Direc-tor of Project Crossroads, Reverend, Harry Howe learned that several senior citi-zens, widowers, and bachelors sat alone at home for the Holiday. Reverend Howe decided that this would not happen again, so he founded the Thanksgiving Meal where those who would be alone during the Holiday Season could come together and share a meal; and carry out meals would be provided to those who could not leave their homes.
Enthusiastically, upon hearing the idea, Nancy Warren volunteered to make all the pies. Humbly each year from the first Thanksgiving Meal in 1989, Nancy made pies and her husband, Jimmy and their son, Mark delivered meals. When Nancy passed away, the organizers named it the Nancy Warren Thanksgiving Meal then changed it to include the entire family after each one had passed away.
Reverend Howe is humbled each year at the number of people who are willing to give up part of their Thanksgiving Day celebrations to make someone else’s be more meaningful. What began with 136 meals served and delivered in the first year, grew to approximately 450 meals this year. Project Crossroads hosts the Annual Warren Family Thanksgiving Meal event each year that features more than 100 volunteers yearly. “Blue Ridge Job Corps students help out on Thanksgiving Day in a big way,” stated Reverend Howe. “Having the students in the kitchen, making plates, serving, and cleaning up makes everything go seamlessly.”