Jesus said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
The spirit of giving expressed by Luke in the Book of Acts and traditionally the reason we celebrate Christmas, was evident in abundance at Wethersfield High School Sunday as members of the Student Council and FFA, assisted by teachers and parent volunteers, served a free holiday meal to anyone in the community who came.
Donations were accepted, “but not expected,” the sign beside a box read on the table where everyone picked up their plates.
“We get paid within our hearts,” said Annaleigh Feltz, one of the students greeting people at the front door of the high school during the three-hour mid-day event.
Some students directed people to the cafeteria where other students served a holiday menu of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans and dinner rolls prepared with the assistance of Wethersfield Food Service Director Ladosha Bystry. FFA and Student Council members offered to carry their guests plates full of food to the gymnasium where they were seated. A choice of water, iced tea or lemonade was brought to your table followed by trays full of homemade desserts. Students were also busy clearing and cleaning tables.
This was the first year for the free community meal which will be rotated every other year with the Holly Jolly Christmas Festival, also sponsored by the student organizations and held for the past several years on the first Sunday in December in conjunction with the lighted Christmas parade on McClure Street and the lighting of the Christmas displays at Windmont Park for the Christmas season.
It was decided to alternate the events every other year between the outdoor festival oriented toward kids and families with games, rides, treats and other activities, the free community meal serving a broader spectrum of the community.
In an earlier story by Kewanee Voice student journalist Joey Dwyer, Student Council advisor Tricia Lay and FFA advisor Kate Rashid said the purpose of both community service events is “to show the students the value of giving back and serving others” in different ways, especially during the Christmas season.
