Business owners plan meal for 1,600

BEDFORD - "It's just a good opportunity to help a lot of people out," Branden Diehl said of a holiday opportunity he and other business owners are preparing for the hard-hit community next week.

Diehl, owner of Earth Wise Consulting, is working with Aerial Communications, Clark and Clark Surveying and Engineering, several other businesses and the Bedford County Career and Technology Center to prepare 1,600 free meals to serve at two locations on Saturday.

The idea came from taking a reflective look back on the tough economic year the Bedford area has faced, with rising unemployment rates and other effects of a weakening economy, Diehl said.

"We sort of put together a team of businesses that have been fortunate enough to have a good year, and we decided that since we were blessed, we should pass on those blessings to those folks who are having a tough time this year," Diehl said.

The turkey dinner, with stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, donated apples and bottled water from Roaring Spring at a reduced rate, is open to anyone in the community.

The technical school's culinary students will prepare the meals, with elected officials, business owners and volunteers, including staff from REI Distribution Center, serving them at two area churches from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While the organizers are hoping for a headcount by Thursday, leftover tickets will be available at the door, Diehl said.

"We don't want to turn anybody away," he said, adding that those hit hard by the economy should not be too proud or stubborn for the generous community support. "Some of these things seem like handouts. That's something that we really hope people understand, is that we understand what they're going through and we hope they'll take advantage of the situation and not see it as some program for people who are down on their luck."

If people are able to pay their bills or buy some extra Christmas projects by taking part in the free dinner, it will be a success, Diehl said.

"If it helps you to stretch your money a little bit, that's really what we want to see people do," he said. "We just want to give them a hand during this Christmastime so hopefully they'll be in a better situation next year."

Kevin Diehl, of no relation to Branden, is the owner of Aerial Communications.

"I feel privileged to be a local business," Kevin said. "I feel strongly that I need to give back to the community. This year, more than ever, the community needs to feel the small-town, family connection."

Mirror Staff Writer Wendy McCardle Zook is at 946-7520.