Community Thanksgiving Meal Brought Back to Life

In 2008, Christine Morehart became burdened with the reality of local families that may be going without because of job loss, foreclosure or other financial hardships. Something had to be done, and while she knew there was not going to be a cure for every economic woe, there could be relief and help given.  Other people who Morehart knew through church felt the same way.
So a plan was made to deliver complete, ready-to-cook meals to area families for Thanksgiving.

Through pulling resources with friends at the chapel and some help from the Nehemiah Partners of Sandusky to help identify individuals in need, 15 local families were able to be helped that year. 
In 2009, the push was to grow the outreach so that more families could be helped through having a community meal, but it was not to be. Despite efforts to grow the outreach, doors were shut on the program. It seemed that the community meal would have to wait ... that is until 2010.  Pastor Mike Cheek of The Sandusky Community Church of the Nazarene met with the Moreharts to hear about the vision, and accepted the challenge on behalf of his church.
So this Thanksgiving, those in need in the community can go the Nazarene church, located at 1617 Milan Road in Sandusky in the former IAB Club.  The meal will be held on Thankgiving Day, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and the meal is free.  Cheek introduced Morehart to Rose Bailey from the church, who along with other members, has been instrumental, diligent and visionary in their desire to see this mission come to pass.
"The meal will be designed so that people know that God loves them, and that we love them too, and that they are not forgotten." Morehart told her congregation during services.  "We want to serve them in a way so that they leave the experience knowing they are special.  We have the goal of feeding 800 people on Thankgiving Day.” 
Her husband Mark says that regardless of whether people are in a financial poverty, spiritual poverty, or just a poverty of loneliness, the outreach is there to help for a day.  "The needs are increased this year, and even Victory Kitchen (a food provider for the Homeless in Sandusky) has cut back due to a drop in donations.  This makes the meal even more important for the community."
On Nov. 4 at Skateworld / Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, a benefit concert will be held, featuring the band "Unforsaken" to help Harvest of the Heart and Victory Kitchen.  Also, there has also been a Web site set up for the Celebration of Harvest of the Heart, www.feedsandusky.com.  The web page is devoted exclusively to Christ-centered, food based ministries in the area.  Anyone who would like to have their ministry listed on the site (for free) can contact the Feed Sandusky group directly through the site.

This is a very practical way to reach out and help someone in our community.  Families or businesses are welcome to get involved.  No good deed is too small.  If you want to help or even if you want to be helped, please call Christine at 419 515 0423 or Email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and see how you can serve.