Lima's Thanksgiving dinner prepares for a record crowd.
Lima's Thanksgiving dinner began in 1984, hosted by the Cary family, and open to anyone who needs a meal or companionship on Thanksgiving. Then Jerry Lewis's McDonald's organized the dinner for twelve years. In 2019, Elm Street Church of the Nazarene took over the dinner. Pastor Jonathan Burkey told us that in 2020 they served Thanksgiving dinner, clothing and hygiene items to nearly 2,600 people. "That was the year that we realized how significant the meal was to so many families and individuals that are lonely or hurting or just economically challenged at the holidays." Burkey told us more than 200 volunteers, businesses and organizations organize and serve the dinner. This year they are prepared to serve 3,000 meals, featuring 890 pounds of turkey.