Holiday dinners in danger

For 25 years, volunteers have worked to provide holiday meals to those without family in close proximity to Sidney, or those unable to make the meals themselves.

It started with Christmas, when Ella Mae Goranson first saw the need and organized a community Christmas dinner at the Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp. The event grew each year, and 10 years ago, a dinner was added at Thanksgiving time.

Each year more than 100 people of all ages have come to the dinners, where they can enjoy the holidays with others.

But changes have brought forth a need that, if left unfilled, could jeopardize the dinners.

For a number of years, Susan and the late Dean Starr have coordinated the dinners. Susan joined the team with Goranson more than 20 years ago, taking over the lead when Goransan was unable to continue. Last year, a couple of months prior to the Thanksgiving dinner, the Starrs decided it was time to step down after the holidays were over.

But Dean didn’t get to see the final year through, passing away just a few days before Thanksgiving. Honoring the couple’s commitment, with extra help from family and friends, Susan pushed through the Thanksgiving dinner, and also coordinated the Christmas gathering as well.

Even so, she said she can’t continue to ramrod the gatherings and is looking for that special someone or someones willing to step into the coordinator spot.

“I can still help out,” Starr said. “But it’s time for someone else to take over, just like I did with Ella Mae.”

Starr said while she coordinates both dinners, the same person doesn’t necessarily need to do the same.

“We could have one person do it for Thanksgiving and another for Christmas, if that works better.”

While both are a ways off, Starr said the need for someone to take over is more immediate.

“We’re already getting contacted by people who want to donate,” Starr said.

And that’s one of the nicer aspects about the dinners now, Starr said. Unlike when the dinners started and those putting it on covered most expenses, nearly everything needed is donated.

First United Methodist Church, where the dinners have been held for several years, is already lined up for this year. Most of the cooking is performed in the church’s basement kitchen, and meals are served in the adjoining hall.

The coordinator accepts event donations and lines up volunteers, Starr said. “The biggest part is the cleanup afterward,” she said.

Anyone interested in coordinating this year’s dinners is encouraged to contact Starr at 254-2375.