Our Savior Lutheran Church to feed community on Thanksgiving

ALAMOGORDO — Our Savior Lutheran Church (OSLC) is getting ready to serve another Thanksgiving Day feast this festive holiday as part of their philanthropy of giving back to the community.

The community Thanksgiving Day meal will be served in OSLC's Fellowship Hall, 1212 Washington Ave., from noon to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Thanks to the German air force (GAF), First Presbyterian Church and the Otero Hunger Coalition, OSLC can feed hundreds of residents who may not have a Thanksgiving this year.

GAF presented a $300 check to the Otero Hunger Coalition who in turn donated it to OSLC. First Presbyterian Church also gave $250 to OSLC. OSLC is contributing $200 of its own funds to provide its annual community Thanksgiving Day meal.

Pastor Kristi Koppel said she thinks it’s important to not only give back to the community but to also spend time with fellow church members on Thanksgiving, which is a holiday about spending time with loved ones.

“I think it’s important because we host a lot of the folks who attend the church and they are serving food as well. A lot of those same people come for the Thanksgiving meal just to get together,” said Koppel. “The holidays aren’t the easiest to be alone. The people that come regularly may need to have some people around them for the holidays.”

Janett Quick, a member of OSLC, will be leading a team of other church members to prepare the meals.

“Janett Quick is all things food at the church and has prepared many meals in town not just the one here. She has a whole crew put together,” said Koppel. “They’re preparing turkeys on Monday so the rest of the food can be ready by Thursday. There’s probably half a dozen people already doing some shopping. It takes a whole week to prepare for the meal.”

About 250 meals were served last year and Koppel hopes they can serve as many meals this year.

“We’re hoping for that many again this year, we’re planning for that many,” she said. “I think it’s cool that agencies and churches are partnering together to make this happen.”

In addition to guests dining in, carry out meals will also be available.

For those unable to get out, the church will deliver up to 30 meals. For more information to request meal delivery or to volunteer to help serve meals call Quick at 495-8343.

OSLC is also inviting the community to a community Thanksgiving Eve worship service at Owen Chapel, 423 Delaware Ave., Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. An ecumenical high school youth group, Another Voice, will help lead the service with Alamogordo High School senior Gabe Mauger playing the piano.