The Crescent City community gathers for a traditional dinner As the aroma of roasting turkeys wafted through the air, volunteers at Crescent City Foursquare Church geared up for their annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This cherished tradition has grown from humble beginnings to become a cornerstone of holiday giving in our coastal town of about 7,000 residents.What started in 1993 as a modest gathering serving 50 meals has blossomed into a massive operation expected to feed over 1,000 people this Thanksgiving. The event, which will cost approximately $8,000 this year, relies heavily on community donations and the efforts of more than 100 volunteers.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');“This dinner embodies the true spirit of Thanksgiving,” said Pastor Roger Bodenstab, who has led the Crescent City Foursquare Church since 2014. “It’s about coming together, serving others, and sharing our blessings.” Ray and his pal Bobby are served dinner The church took over organizing the dinner in 2017, building on the foundation laid by Teri Sandler and a small group of community members who initiated the event nearly three decades ago. Today, it’s a well-oiled machine, with the church ordering food in bulk and preparing it at the Crescent Elk Kitchen, generously provided by the Del Norte Unified School District.Community Thanksgiving dinners like this one in Crescent City have become increasingly common across the United States, offering not just a hot meal but also a sense of belonging to those who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. These events often serve as a lifeline for low-income families, elderly residents, and individuals experiencing homelessness.This year’s dinner here will feature an added attraction: the Del Norte County Library will be on-site, giving away books to attendees. “We’re not just feeding bodies, we’re nourishing minds,” Pastor Bodenstab noted.The Crescent City Foursquare Church, part of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel founded by Aimee Semple McPherson in 1923, has been a fixture in Del Norte County for nearly a century. Officially chartered in 1931, the church has grown to an average weekly attendance of 425, becoming a significant force in local outreach and community service.Pastor Bodenstab’s journey with the church spans nearly three decades. Starting as a janitor in 1995, he worked his way through various roles including youth leader, children’s pastor, and Christian school administrator before assuming leadership of the congregation.Under his guidance, the church has expanded its community initiatives. Beyond the Thanksgiving dinner, it operates a food bank, provides counseling services, and runs youth programs aimed at fostering leadership and community engagement.As this year’s dinner wraps up and plans for next year take shape, the church is actively seeking donations to cover the costs. Community members can contribute through the church’s website or by mailing a check directly to the church.In an era where many bemoan the loss of community spirit, the Crescent City Foursquare Church’s Thanksgiving dinner stands as a testament to the enduring power of collective goodwill. As one volunteer put it, “This isn’t just about providing a meal. It’s about creating a family for those who might not have one on Thanksgiving.”For many in Crescent City, this dinner has become as much a part of their Thanksgiving tradition as turkey and pumpkin pie. And as the volunteers prepare to open their doors once again, they’re reminded that in giving, they often receive the greatest gift of all: the joy of serving others. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });