Sidney community Thanksgiving meal set for Thursday

A tradition that began more than two decades ago is again underway this year.

A free Thanksgiving community dinner, open to everyone, will be served from noon to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney.

All community members are invited to attend the event and celebrate the holiday with a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, said Dean Starr, who along with his wife, Susan, is a longtime organizer.

The annual community dinner began about 23 years ago after a local woman wanted to give back to Sidney residents for their generosity after she suffered a loss.

“We got into it two or three years after that,” Starr said.

Anyone that wants to attend the meal is welcome, he said.

In past years, attendance has ranged from 100 to more than 200.

Those who attend are welcome to bring a side dish to share, and monetary donations will be accepted to purchase supplies for next year, Starr said.

“If someone has no other place to go, come on over,” he said. “We’ll feed you!”

The First United Methodist Church is located at 2622 11th Ave. in Sidney. For more information, contact Dean and Susan Starr at (308) 254-2375 or Randy and Karen Deboer at (308) 884-2356.