- September 1, 2011
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Jim Minor and Josh Gutierrez
Festive decorations garnished the place settings at Sarasota Ministerial Association’s 16th annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.
Jennifer Steube and State Senator Greg Steube and Lt. Lori Jaress.
Captain Charlie Thorpe, Former County Commissioner Carolyn Mason and Superintendent Todd Bowden.
Cardinal Mooney High School Students Lauren France, Caitlin Telford, Laura Dowden, Leah Roddenberry, Gavin Schrantz and Kate Beck volunteered to serve at the luncheon.
Superintendent Todd Bowden and former County Commissioner Caralyn Mason follow along as County Commissioner Caragiulo reads a portion of President Abraham Lincoln’s address, which made Thanksgiving a national holiday.
Lauren France serves Joe Faust at Sarasota Ministerial Association’s 16th annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.
Sarasota Ministerial Association chairman Tom Pfaff greets attendees.
Mimi Winston said her favorite part of the meal was the turkey.
Cardinal Mooney High School Ava Wittmer serves Jazyren Jones at the luncheon.
Attendees were served a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Members of local Latin American Motorcycle Association chapters volunteered at the event.
Josh Scznsmy, Brittany Valentine, Georgia Sommers, Jim Minor, Josh Gutierrez, Roger Lee, Cy Muraida, Ester Henriquez and Austin Fritz
City, county and state officials mingled with community members in St. Martha Catholic Church’s parish hall as Sarasota Ministerial Association chairman Tom Pfaff took the stage.
“If everybody would please take your seats, our guests are about to arrive,” Pfaff said.
People experiencing homelessness were welcomed into the hall and ushered to tables decorated with holiday garnish.
The Sarasota Ministerial Association has hosted its Thanksgiving Community Luncheon for 16 years to create a safe community space for people experiencing homelessness to enjoy the holiday.
Members of Cardinal Mooney High School’s St. Vincent de Paul volunteer club and parent volunteers formed a finely tuned system of portioning and serving plates to attendees. Club advisor Scott Scheurer said this event is among the students’ favorite to volunteer opportunities.
“It’s a sit-down meal,” Scheurer said. “(People aren’t) just coming in line and being served food and going on their way. Our students are getting the sense that they are able to serve.”
The food was provided by Yoder’s and Der Dutchman Restaurants and Ernie Cave Catering, but Pfaff said the event is about more than the meal. It’s about creating a sense of community.
“We’re not inviting homeless people to a feeding,” Pfaff said. “We’re inviting people experiencing homelessness to a family.”
