Pictured here is Sandra Blum’s granddaughter, Kamaria, who was helping in the kitchen during the Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner, which had an excellent turnout, despite the snowy weather.

CLARENDON – The Sheffield-area community dinner on Thanksgiving is a longstanding tradition.

Now, members of the Bee Courageous team want to create a new, monthly tradition with monthly dinners at the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center.

There is no cost to attend. Donations are welcome but never required. As a way of giving back to the community, this is an opportunity for creating space for the community to grow.

“There’s a seat for you at our table,” said organizer Sandra Blum.

The first community meal will be Wednesday, Jan. 21, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center in Clarendon. Dinners will always be held on the third Wednesday of each month.

At Thanksgiving, volunteers helped serve takeout dinners and delivered them to all those who pre-ordered. They also served whomever attended throughout the timeframe that it was held. Several of the veterans who live in the center took part. State Rep. Kathy Rapp was also a volunteer at the event.