At St. Thomas More Catholic Community in Henderson, NV, Thanksgiving is a working holiday. Once again, hundreds of families gave up part of their holiday to serve others. It’s a tradition that goes back 25 years, of delivering Thanksgiving dinners to homebound seniors, the disabled or those who would be alone. Viatorian associates continue to lead this ministry, which they call GLOWS, or God’s Love Overflows While Serving.
Associate Cheryl Schwarz helps dish out meals.
“We feel that they’re at home, they’re alone, they don’t have anywhere to go,” says Associate Cheryl Schwarz, who coordinated the day.. “This brings some community to them, some warmth and helps them to enjoy the holiday.”
Working with Cheryl throughout the day were Associates Dan Schwarz, Mary Thompson and Juliann Dwyer — who led the kitchen crew in preparing green beans, yams and slicing some 38 turkey breasts into more than 800 servings.
In all, this effort to feed the hungry drew more than 475 parishioners to participate, including 50 volunteers who prepared and served up individual portions in assembly line fashion, and more than 400 parishioner families who delivered the meals. In all, they delivered 811 meals to seniors living throughout the Las Vegas Valley and another 60 for homeless in the area.
Cheryl credited not only the generosity of parish members but a social justice grant from the Viatorian Community, which helped underwrite the cost of the more than 800 meals that were prepared.
Associate Juliann Dwyer dishes out gravy.
“We would like to thank our Viatorian Community once again for supporting this amazing outreach,” Cheryl said.
The parish partnered with HopeLink of Southern Nevada and Meals on Wheels, offered through Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, to identify those in need.
Cheryl, who serves as Director of Outreach Ministry at St. Thomas More, received phone calls from seniors who were thrilled with the delicious meal and they enjoyed the visit since they were home alone for the holiday.
“I also received messages from parishioners who had delivered the meals,” she added, “telling me how much they enjoyed going with their family, delivering the meals and interacting with these senior citizens.”
Feeding the hungry is a top priority for the Viatorians, whose mission compels them to embrace those accounted of little importance.