Seed Faith Food Pantry Founder, Marie Berry, and her team of volunteers will distribute free Thanksgiving dinners on Monday, Nov. 25, from 10 to 11 a.m. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

The Seed Faith Food Pantry’s annual Thanksgiving meal distribution on Monday, Nov. 25, will provide all the food necessary for a family to cook a holiday meal. The Gypsum Mobile Health Clinic from the Erie County Health Department will be onsite to provide immunizations, dental exams and cleanings, and physicals for work and school.

The Thanksgiving meals are available from 10 to 11 a.m. only. The Mobile Health Clinic will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This is the most exciting time of the year for us and the volunteers. To be able to provide a free Thanksgiving meal for families is wonderful,” said Seed Faith Food Pantry Founder, Marie Berry. “It’s bringing families together as a unit, and that’s what strengthens America.”

Several local agencies will also attend the event to provide resources, including the Area Office on

Aging, Ottawa County Veterans Services, and the Ottawa County Health Department, which will provide free COVID testing kits.

“Insurance companies will be here to help people sign up for the Medicare Advantage Plan, and Caldwell Classy Cleaners will provide a coffee and hot chocolate bar. Donations for the coffee and hot chocolate will benefit the food pantry,” Berry said. “We’re still waiting to get approval for an incentivization grant. If that gets approved, people who get immunizations will receive a $100 Kroger gift card.”

Marie Berry adjusts décor in at the Lighthouse Center Resale Shop, which supports the Seed Faith Food Pantry. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Families who visit the food pantry for a free meal will receive a turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

“The meals are only available for that one-hour window, so people need to get here when that window is open,” Berry said. “The Mobile Health Clinic will be here until 2. Anyone wanting to get immunizations or dental work done should preregister.”

Preregistration can be made by calling 567-867-5174. All services will be billed to insurance, and reduced out-of-pocket costs are available for those who qualify. No child will be denied treatment due to inability to pay.

The Seed Faith Food Pantry is funded partially by donations and primarily by Lighthouse Center Resale Shop, which is housed in the same building. The resale shop offers everything from clothes to household items.

“The Beck family (of FriendShip Food Stores and gas stations) is a big supporter of the food pantry. They do anything they can to help,” Berry said.

Together, the resale shop and food pantry offer friendship and hope.

“People often ask for prayer. This is an opportunity to minister to people,” Berry said. “We’re fulfilling God’s mission. We’re being God’s hands.”

Seed Faith Food Pantry is located at 974 S. Lake St. in Gypsum.