New Hope Assembly partners with Belle Epoque to stage 19th annual Community Holiday Dinner

Belle Epoque in downtown Three Rivers was bustling with activity from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday (November 18th) as New Hope Assembly teamed with the banquet hall to host the church’s 19th annual Community Holiday Dinner.

The event provided a FREE turkey dinner for attendees and a gift for each child.

Volunteers from New Hope Assembly ready to serve up a free turkey meal during the 19th annual Community Holiday Dinner, an event staged at Belle Epoque in downtown Three Rivers. (Click on photo to enlarge)

During an interview with the River Country Journal midway through the dinner, Pastor Steve Miller said, “This has been a record turnout for us.”  Regarding the attendees, he said, “Many of them are brand new, as well as a lot of returnees.”  And Miller added that, almost every year, he hears people say, “’This is our only holiday dinner’ and that kind of blows my mind because we forget – those of us who are used to doing these with families and friends – that there’s many folks that don’t get to do something like this, so it’s been a real blessing so far.  We’re excited about serving the community.”  (Steve Miller audio clip – :31)

Miller said the event has grown over the years, occurring first at the Three Rivers Community Center, then at the church, and now at Belle Epoque (formerly A Place In Time).

Miller said the budget for the dinner is around $3,000 – funding that is above the regular church budget – and he estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the congregation is involved in putting on the dinner.

For additional insights regarding this topic, click on the following link to hear the full interview with Pastor Steve Miller, recorded by Bruce Snook of the River Country Journal:  Steve Miller interview (3:26 – 3.14 MB).

New Hope Assembly is located at 56652 Buckhorn Road, just north of Three Rivers.  Belle Epoque Catering & Events is at 54 Railroad Drive in downtown Three Rivers.