Thrivent action team announces results from Operation Thanksgiving

Susie Knuteson, left, delivers the First Thanksgiving meal to a worker at Ricketts' Convenience Store.

Nevada Daily Mail

A Thrivent action team in Nevada hosted Operation Thanksgiving by delivering Thanksgiving lunches to workers at convenience stores in Nevada.

Ten members participated by making turkey sandwiches, stuffing muffins, mulled cranberries, and pumpkin pie dessert.

From left, are: Mary Reinert, Wayne Reinert, Anna Seewoester, Fred Seewoester, Susie Knuteson, Patsy McCullough, and David McCullough.

The Women's Book Club of St. Paul Lutheran came up with the idea after reading about a similar operation in Denver that was written about in a book called "Pastrix" by Nadia Bolz-Weber.

Although there is a community Thanksgiving dinner and meals are delivered to emergency services workers, the convenience store workers were not being served.

Chelsea Deines talked about how her family used to do a similar project and the club decided to take it on. Twenty-six meals were delivered around noon, and all of the workers were very appreciative.

This event was hosted by a Thrivent action team, a local group led by a member of Thrivent Financial. Thrivent action teams allow members to quickly identify a need, receive resources and put a plan together to help others in their community. The mission of Thrivent is to serve members and society by guiding both to be wise with money and to live generously.

"The project was very worthwhile," said project leader Patsy McCullough. "It was fun making and delivering the lunches, and the smiles on the workers' faces made us very thankful to be able to be part of it. We're proud to be able to serve our community and are grateful for Thrivent's support."

Thrivent action teams are member-led projects -- fundraisers, one-time service activities or educational events -- that can be completed within 90 days.

Members who were part of Operation Thanksgiving were Fred and Anna Seewoester, Wayne and Mary Reinert, Susie Knuteson, Pastor Chris and Chelsea Deines, Marjorie Range, and David and Patsy McCullough.