COEUR d’ALENE — The Altar Church provided more than a free meal on Thanksgiving.

“The church serving as a place for people when they have nowhere else to go today is so important, especially in today’s society,” said Cesa Dibble. “Open arms can really make such a difference.”

Dibble would know.

She and her 2-year-old daughter, Daisy, gathered at The Altar with Dibble’s mom, Alicia Dibble.

“We wouldn’t be able to have Thanksgiving together without this place,” Alicia said.

Thursday marked five years of free Thanksgiving meals provided by The Altar Church. Hundreds sat down to eat in the decorated dining room and more picked up meals to go or asked for them to be delivered to their homes.

The menu included just about all the Thanksgiving fixings a person could want: turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean and sweet potato casseroles, rolls, cranberry sauce — and of course, plenty of pie to go around.

Stephanie Roberts called serving the community a “privilege.”

“I absolutely love organizing this,” she said. “It’s all about serving God and serving His people."

Volunteers arrived early to prepare the food and stayed late to wash pots and pans. Some acted as waiters and attended tables to take orders.

The room was filled with laughter, hugs and holiday cheer as attendees caught up with familiar faces.

“The camaraderie of coming together with our community like this really aligns with what our belief system is all about,” said volunteer Carol Baker.

Fellow volunteer Tatiana Hirsch agreed.

“It’s our duty to give back,” Hirsch said. “We receive so much from the Lord.” 

    Bobbie Eatmon, left, and Jerzey Childers put together a Thanksgiving meal to-go at the Altar Church on Thursday.
  

    From left, volunteers Trinity Lancaster, Bobbie Eatmon, Dave Eatmon, Shannette Tilla, Rikki Childers, Richi Childers, and Jerzey Childers served up smiles at Altar Church's free Thanksgiving meal in Coeur d'Alene.