Daystar Church serves up Thanksgiving tradition for community

Since 2018, Daystar Church has hosted an annual Thanksgiving Day meal for the Hartselle community, providing a prepared dinner to families and individuals who may not find cooking a large holiday meal practical. What began with 120 meals has grown significantly, with approximately 550 meals served this year.

“We knew there were other organizations and wonderful churches providing groceries for households to prepare meals at home,” outreach ministry leader Ginger Cataline said. “We wanted to offer an option where the pressure of cooking was removed, giving families a chance to simply enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner together.” The event has been met with gratitude from the community. “Recipients have always been extremely thankful,” Cataline said. “We’ve had the opportunity to connect with them, pray with them and let them know we’re a resource for them.” Daystar determines the number of meals to prepare based on reservations collected through flyers distributed around the community. After gathering the numbers, volunteers calculate the necessary groceries and get to work.

Preparation is no small task, requiring more than 100 volunteers throughout the week.

Volunteers handle everything from distributing flyers and shopping for ingredients to cooking, plating and delivering meals. The event’s growth over the years has been matched by an increase in volunteer support. “Our purpose is to point those receiving the meals to Jesus,” Cataline added. “It’s not about Daystar-it’s about being the body of Christ, and we welcome anyone to be part of that.” The meal is open to anyone who signs up, with no strict eligibility requirements. “We target areas of Hartselle that we know have increased needs, but we understand that income isn’t the only factor when it comes to needing a meal,” she said. Local businesses, including Boxwood Roofing, Minor Tire, and Hernandez Brothers, have partnered with Daystar to support the event. Daystar members also contribute through giving, with some using their business connections to secure additional resources.

Volunteers from Hartselle City Schools, local sports teams and other churches have joined Daystar in making the event a success. Community members interested in volunteering can find opportunities through the Daystar Outreach Facebook page or other social media platforms.

Cataline said the food is purchased from local grocery stores and prepared on-site at the church. Individuals and businesses can contribute financially by giving online at daystarchurch.tv/ give and designating funds for Hartselle outreach. Physical donations can also be delivered to Daystar Church at 1010 Nance Ford Road, Hartselle.

“Every year, the Lord provides,” Cataline said. “This event is a testament to the power of community and faith coming together to share love and blessings.”