Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
NOVEMBER 15, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXI • NO 41
Shopping small this holiday season BY FRANCINE FULTON
Diners enjoy a free homemade Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey and all the trimmings and homemade pie for dessert.
Volunteers will serve the buffet-style meal in the church’s fellowship hall.
Church to dish up free Thanksgiving meal veryone from seniors and young families to those who live alone and have no relatives in the area is invited to attend a free community Thanksgiving meal at Hopewell Church, 2286 Hopewell Road, Elverson, on Thursday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, those who are unable to attend in person and who live within 5 miles of the church may have a free meal delivered. The event, being held for the third time at the church, is being organized by congregation member Misty Stoltzfus, who started the outreach to honor her father, who passed away on Thanksgiving several years ago. She emphasized that people of all ages are invited to attend, including
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local college students who may not be going home for the holiday. “We fed around 100 people last year, which included members of the community, volunteers and (those receiving) takeout meals,” said Stoltzfus. “This year, I am hoping that it will be even more people.” This year’s menu will include turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and corn, cranberry sauce and rolls and beverages with homemade pumpkin and apple pie for dessert. The buffet-style meal will be served in the church’s fellowship hall. “People can drop in anytime,” Stoltzfus noted. The food will be prepared by local chef Jamie Francis, who comes to the church earlier in the week to prepare the turkeys. The turkeys
are donated to the church by the Twin Valley Food Pantry, where Stoltzfus is a volunteer. The potatoes are donated by Mast Farm - Paul Mast is a church member - and apple cider is provided by Weaver’s Orchard. Church members contribute baked goods, rolls and butter. Local farmers donated corn, which was frozen fresh this summer. “We all went to church and shucked 200 to 300 ears of corn and processed them,” Stoltzfus said. Leftover food from the dinner goes to the Hope Rescue Mission in Reading, which serves homeless men in Berks County. “The ingredients are used to make turkey casseroles,” Stoltzfus noted. The meal not only benefits local residents but is designed for people
looking for volunteer opportunities. “You don’t have to volunteer the whole time. You can sit and eat as well,” Stoltzfus said. “Some people just want to volunteer, and then they go home and eat with their families.” “The people that come are really appreciative,” she added. “There are not that many places that do a free Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving. It’s nice to have it.” Those who plan to attend the event are asked to register by Sunday, Nov. 19. To register or order a meal to be delivered, call the church office at 610-286-6308, email stoltzfusmisty4@gmail.com or visit www.hopewellchurch.org, click on “Events” and choose “Thanksgiving Outreach” on the calendar.
See Shop small pg 5
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BY FRANCINE FULTON
Small businesses are at the heart of local communities. What better way to celebrate the diversity, uniqueness and creativity of independent, local businesses than by supporting them during the busiest shopping season of the year? Shops in local towns offer many gift ideas that are one-of-a-kind and generally feature a local flair, as independent businesses tend to offer products and services that are reflective of the customers and the community they serve. They also offer quality customer service because they meet shoppers face to face. “Supporting your neighborhood businesses makes sense in so many ways. Besides saving gas and time, you are putting food on the tables of your neighbors and friends,” said Esther Prosser, mayor of Elverson. “Stopping in to purchase locally is a great way to connect with your community, and that personal connection is what makes life fun.” “Small business has been and continues to be the backbone of the American economy, so it is important that we all find time to patronize and do business with our local businesses,” added Jim Gerlach, president and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. “If they do not succeed,