GREENFIELD — The city of Greenfield came together in a remarkable display of unity and gratitude this past Sunday for its inaugural A Day of Thanks Community Dinner at the Veterans Memorial Hall.
The Nov. 24 event, hosted by the newly formed Greenfield Locals organization, provided a festive and heartfelt gathering for the community, offering a free Thanksgiving meal to residents in celebration of the season of giving.
A total of 700 meals were prepared, served and delivered by local volunteers.
Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez, who attended the dinner, hailed it as an overwhelming success, emphasizing the community’s collaboration.
“No matter how you define it, today was a huge success for Greenfield’s first Thanksgiving Community Dinner,” Lopez wrote on social media afterward. “Seven hundred plates were made, consumed or delivered by members of our community.”
Lopez shared how residents from all walks of life came together to make the event a reality.
“I saw firefighters and police officers loading engines and patrol trunks with meals and heading out to do the work. I saw California Cadets and 4-H members clearing tables, seating community members and serving meals,” he noted. “I watched as the Madrecita Foundation hustled to make up bags for home deliveries and saw hundreds of smiles.”
The dinner was made possible thanks to the efforts of Greenfield Councilwoman Rachel Ortiz, who spearheaded the initiative with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers. Lopez praised Ortiz for her vision and leadership.
“She says she saw so many other communities pulling together events and felt Greenfield deserved the best, and seven hundred of you agreed and responded,” he wrote.
A key highlight of the meal was the generosity of the American Legion, which barbecued nearly 50 turkeys for the feast. The event also received significant support from local organizations, with the Food Bank for Monterey County providing essential contributions.
Lopez expressed his deep gratitude for the community’s leadership and volunteer spirit, noting that the dinner was 100% funded and donated locally. He also thanked local officials, including Greenfield Mayor Bob White, Police Chief Guillermo Mixer and others, for their assistance in making the event run smoothly.
“I’m giving thanks today for our community, its leadership and its generosity,” Lopez said.
The A Day of Thanks Community Dinner is expected to become an annual tradition, celebrating gratitude, unity and the strong sense of community in Greenfield.
