“This event has made an incredible imprint on the community,” said Steve Paris, director of Feast of Giving. “This event is uniquely Dayton. It demonstrates what this community is all about — the commitment to each other, the generosity and gratitude. This is not just about a free meal.”
Taking place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the event is being led by local leaders Jason Woodard and Shane Connor, handpicked by longtime stewards Dr. Steve Levitt and Dr. Tom Olsen.
Paris attributed the five-year hiatus to “false starts” particularly in terms of leadership and commitment but he’s pleased to have Woodard and Connor at the helm. He views this year’s event as a pivotal transition into a promising new era.
“This event needed Jason and Shane’s leadership,” Paris said. “I can’t tell you how excited we are. We have a great group of people. This is the start of the next chapter, the third chapter, and hopefully a continuation of what is an amazing event.”
Feast of Giving timeline
According to the Feast of Giving website:
- 1969 — The Feast of Giving has been a Dayton area tradition since Elder Beerman launched the dinner in 1969 as a “thank you” to the community. It continued under the family foundation’s stewardship for 40 years.
- 2009 — In 2009, Dermatologists of Southwest Ohio, led by Steve Levitt, Tom Olsen and John Macke, came together with Stratacache and ABC22/FOX45, and shortly thereafter, LaStar Corporation and Mike Shane, to carry forward the tradition. Under their leadership, the Feast of Giving became a true community event, serving over 8,000 meals annually.
- 2020 — In 2020, the event was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though the spirit of giving lived on through partnerships with Miami Valley Meals (MVM) and Simple Street Ministries.
- 2024 — In 2024, the Steering Committee decided the Feast of Giving should return as a live event in the newly renovated Dayton Convention Center for Thanksgiving 2025 and a small working group began planning.
Ensuring inclusivity
Organizers said a dedicated working group has been planning the event for over nine months, but many more hands are needed on Thanksgiving Day and in the days leading up to it.
“One of the best things about the Feast of Giving is how it brings people from across the community together,” said Michelle Steinbrugge, volunteer committee lead, in a press statement. “We’re excited to welcome both past volunteers and new faces to the next chapter of this unique Dayton tradition.”
Organizers also reiterate the Feast of Giving is open to all to ensure no one celebrates the holiday alone.
“A lot of people don’t have someone to spend Thanksgiving with,” Paris said. “While the event is definitely focused squarely on the underserved, it is for the whole community. Year after year we have had families and large groups come to the event. We also plan to do outreach to nursing homes, churches and shelters but we welcome the whole community. In the past, people from all parts of the community have participated which has made this event so special.”
Prepping the festivities
Attendees can expect to hear live music courtesy of Crescendo Baccus and there will be a dance floor to fuel the grooves. Children’s activities will include fairytale character appearances courtesy of Centerville-based Fairy Godmother Events.
“Ashley Campbell, owner of Fairy Godmother Events, is leading our kids committee and she’s putting together something fantastic for the whole family,” Paris said.
Safety and security are top of mind as well.
“Unfortunately, we live in a time when metal detectors and bag checks are part of our reality,” Paris said.
He also said GEST Carts Dayton will assist attendees by offering shuttle service from the Oregon District Parking Garage to the front entrance of the Dayton Convention Center.
“We don’t know what the weather will be like in November in Southwest Ohio,” Paris said. “It could be 70 degrees or in the single digits.”
Credit: Lisa Powell
Credit: Lisa Powell
‘Everyone wants to see this event come back’
Sponsors and partners for the event include Cooper Farms, CareSource, PNC Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Mutual and Miami Valley Meals among others. Organizers are also grateful to Catapult Creative for assisting with marketing, creating the event website and redesigning the logo. The Dayton Convention Center staff was also praised.
“The Dayton Convention Center staff has been amazing,” Paris said. “They are bending over backward to make this event happen. They’re doing way more than what a facility partner would be expected to do. Everyone wants to see this event come back. I have really been gratified by the response we’ve received.”
Paris said 8,000 to 10,000 meals have been served in the past but this year’s target is 6,000, which is subject to change.
“There’s really no way to know ahead of time who is going to come,” Paris said. “We’re not using the number of attendees as the metric of success. We just want to offer a safe, hearty meal in a warm environment that’s filled with fellowship and community. It’s time to come back together again.”
Credit: STAFF
Credit: STAFF
HOW TO HELP
Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up at feastofgiving.org. Shifts will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, with notifications beginning in early October.
The Feast of Giving is a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. Businesses or individuals wishing to support the event — either financially or through in-kind donations — are encouraged to reach out via email at info@feastofgiving.org or visit the website.
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