Published: Friday, November 27, 2009
Thanksgiving tradition flourishes at Everett church
-
Heidi Hoffman / The Herald
Blake Seiber (left), Nancy Bond, Pam Seiber and Matt Seiber help serve Thanksgiving dinner at Life Changes Ministry in Everett on Thursday.
-
Heidi Hoffman / The Herald
Sandi Larson (left), Director of Community Dinners at Life Changes Ministry, eats Thanksgiving dinner with Patti Smith at Life Changes Ministry in Everett.
EVERETT — For the second year in a row, Pat Seiber spent her holiday preparing and serving a traditional dinner to those who are less fortunate at Life Changes Ministry in north Everett.
And she wasn't alone.
Seiber, 68, brought her children, her grandchildren and even her in-laws to cook and serve for those in need. All told, 17 showed up for the new family tradition.
On Thursday afternoon, the smell of turkey and pie filled the church's basement, which serves as a dining room for free community dinners. They served Thaksgiving dinner to about 70 people by the end of the day.
Seiber and her relatives decorated each table and set cups of cranberry sauce and pickles in advance. There was live music and free espresso drinks for all.
Chelsea Seiber, 19, of Arlington was making lattes and mochas for anyone who asked. A barista by trade, she was glad to serve specialty coffee drinks to people who don't often get to indulge in them.
The family was going to serve two sets of meals, at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Pat Seiber said.
Dallas Smith, 38, of Everett came early. It was his second Thanksgiving at the church with the Seiber family.
“They are very good-hearted,” he said “They have a spirit of love.”
With a history of homelessness and addictions, Smith said he doesn't forget where he came from. This Thanksgiving he was thankful for a new chance at life.
“It blesses us more than the people we serve,” Pat Seiber said. The family served about 70 people last year, too.
Pat Seiber was looking for a way to give back to the community when her granddaughter introduced her to Sandi Larson, who organizes meals at the church.
“She is an awesome woman,” Larson said of Pat Seiber.
Once the dishes were on the serving table, people gathered in the church's basement and said their blessings.
Amy Seiber, 37, of Stanwood chatted with other family members who were serving the food. She said they plan to continue with the tradition.
The basement gradually filled with people.
Mark Russell, 48, of Everett relaxed on the couch. He comes to the ministry often to enjoy food and good company.
Russell doesn't have family living nearby. Still, he knows he always has a place to go on Thanksgiving.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
And she wasn't alone.
Seiber, 68, brought her children, her grandchildren and even her in-laws to cook and serve for those in need. All told, 17 showed up for the new family tradition.
On Thursday afternoon, the smell of turkey and pie filled the church's basement, which serves as a dining room for free community dinners. They served Thaksgiving dinner to about 70 people by the end of the day.
Seiber and her relatives decorated each table and set cups of cranberry sauce and pickles in advance. There was live music and free espresso drinks for all.
Chelsea Seiber, 19, of Arlington was making lattes and mochas for anyone who asked. A barista by trade, she was glad to serve specialty coffee drinks to people who don't often get to indulge in them.
The family was going to serve two sets of meals, at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Pat Seiber said.
Dallas Smith, 38, of Everett came early. It was his second Thanksgiving at the church with the Seiber family.
“They are very good-hearted,” he said “They have a spirit of love.”
With a history of homelessness and addictions, Smith said he doesn't forget where he came from. This Thanksgiving he was thankful for a new chance at life.
“It blesses us more than the people we serve,” Pat Seiber said. The family served about 70 people last year, too.
Pat Seiber was looking for a way to give back to the community when her granddaughter introduced her to Sandi Larson, who organizes meals at the church.
“She is an awesome woman,” Larson said of Pat Seiber.
Once the dishes were on the serving table, people gathered in the church's basement and said their blessings.
Amy Seiber, 37, of Stanwood chatted with other family members who were serving the food. She said they plan to continue with the tradition.
The basement gradually filled with people.
Mark Russell, 48, of Everett relaxed on the couch. He comes to the ministry often to enjoy food and good company.
Russell doesn't have family living nearby. Still, he knows he always has a place to go on Thanksgiving.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
Comments
(
