This year’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration will take place Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Trinity Methodist Church, located on Lake Drive.

Katie Gordon, program manager at the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, expressed the need for the celebration.

“As we see tragedies occurring around the world – sometimes rooted in a difference of belief or faith – we must do what we can locally to build bridges between our communities rather than barriers,” Gordon said. “The Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration is an annual event that has brought us all together for over 15 years.

“This event is a beautiful sentiment to the shared values we all hold despite the different backgrounds we come from,” Gordon said. “Too often, our differences — especially religious differences — divide our communities and put barriers between us. With the theme of unity through diversity, the interfaith community will show how to build bridges between our traditions rather than barriers of division.”

This year’s theme will feature the idea of unity through diversity.

The keynote speaker at this year’s celebration is Joe Jones, the CEO/director of the Grand Rapids Urban League. Jones’ speech is titled “Be Perfectly Yourself.”

Starting an hour before the celebration, there will be a labyrinth meditation available in the upper level of the church for anyone who is interested. There is also a reception following the event.

For the spirit of service, the Interfaith Institute is accepting donations at the Thanksgiving celebration for Congress Elementary School, the East Paris Food Pantry and Lutheran Social Services.

“Congress Elementary is a local school in the East Hills Neighborhood,” Gordon said. “The money collected will go to support the children, teachers and staff at Congress Elementary. This donation will allow teachers and staff to purchase items that are used every day in the classroom to keep the children healthy and engaged in their classrooms.”

The elementary school needs tissue boxes, disinfectant wipes, fat markers, glue sticks, white glue, construction paper, dry erase marker sets, pencils, pens, crayons, folders, wide-ruled paper, art supplies, snack foods, paper towel and whiteboard cleaner.

The East Paris Community Food Pantry (EPCFP) was established in 2012 by a group of local Muslims looking for a way to put the Islamic teachings into action. It is located in the lower level of Masjid At-Tawheed on East Paris Avenue. The pantry distributes food to anyone in the community that is in need, regardless of religion or beliefs.

Distribution day is on the last Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The food pantry is in need of non-perishable food and canned food. It is requested that the food does not contain pork or gelatin.

“Lutheran Social Services of Michigan creates communities of service,” Gordon said. “LSSM walks with people in need, offering hope and compassion while upholding their dignity, advocating for equality and justice and seeking creative solutions. Locally, LSSM has programs for senior living, refugee resettlement, home healthcare and foster care.”

The organization is also in need of winter coats and clothing for immigrants and refugees who are facing their first Michigan winter.

“I feel like people aren’t exposed to many people outside of their own faiths very often, so this is an excellent opportunity to get to know and appreciate other faiths and cultures,” said Elle Madsen, freshman at GVSU.

The annual Thanksgiving Celebration is open to the public to attend. Childcare will be provided to those with children wishing to attend.