EXTENDING THE TABLE
When Shelinda Smith decided to turn some loneliness into something else, she in turn gave the Freeman community a Thanksgiving gift that has kept on giving.
It was around the Thanksgiving season five years ago that Shelinda Smith was feeling lonely. Sure, she had loved ones around her, but as her extended family was growing, it was beginning to go in different directions, and her oldest son, Jacob, was away on military service.
“And it got me thinking,” Smith says. “There has to be other people who are actually lonely — who might not have family or friends around.”
So she pitched an idea to her mom, Patty Carlson, who lives in Sioux Falls with her husband: Why not offer a Thanksgiving meal to those in the Freeman community who might appreciate it? The following year, in 2021 — with the support of Shelinda’s employer, Shane Vetch and Modern Woodmen — Freeman’s Friendsgiving was born.
And last week Thursday, Nov. 28 — and now with additional support from the Bethany Food Pantry — Smith, Carlson and Shelinda’s youngest, Olivia, were at it again for a fourth time, teaming up to prepare and serve a full course, made-from-scratch Thanksgiving meal. Between Thursday’s sit-down dinner and deliveries both Thursday and Friday, 77 meals were served.
Three generations of ladies — Patty Carlson, her granddaughter Olivia Smith, and daughter Shelinda Smith — are pictured Thursday, Nov. 28 in the kitchen of the Bethany Church in preparation for Friendsgiving. This was the fourth year in a row the ladies have prepared and hosted a free Thanksgiving meal in partnership with Modern Woodmen and the Bethany Food Pantry. PHOTO BY JEREMY WALTNER
“People do appreciate it,” Shelinda said as roasters were keeping the food hot and tables were decorated for the season. “And what I’ve found is it’s not necessarily people who are down on their luck, but just want a place to go.”
And when they arrived in the dining area of the Bethany Mennonite Church basement, they were treated to all the fixings: Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, scalloped corn, dinner rolls, pies (donated by people in the community), salad and relish trays. Serving took place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“I love it — I look forward to it,” says Patty. “(Shelinda) and I have always been the part of the family that plans things because it means a lot to us to keep family together.”
And Patty has found a second home in Freeman.
“I have found so many friends in Freeman just through this,” she said. “My husband is disabled, and he was going through a hard time, and some of Shelinda’s friends stepped forward and said, ‘Tell your mom that she’s always welcome in Freeman.’”
In addition to Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day meal, the family set up an angel tree with tags to help support foster families. There were even places on the tables for guests to write down things they are thankful for; the meal was no doubt one of them.
