Although the Nazarene church is sponsoring the event, organizer Lori Wilson wants the public to know, “This is for the entire community.” She said the church is collaborating with Centennial Evangelical Free Church and others to make the July 13 event successful.

“This is a way to bless the community, to give back,” said Lori, whose roots are in the Philippines.

The event will include a program, praise and worship, testimonies, cultural folk dancing and some history of the Philippines and Filipino culture. In addition, there will be food.

“I love to cook,” Lori said, adding that she and her husband, Dan, have provided food as a way of blessing people for many years. “There is no cost, and this is open to the whole area, not just people in Grangeville, but from all over.”

Fellow friends who are from the Philippines or who have ties to the country from all over the region — Lewiston, Clarkson, Orofino, Craigmont, Kamiah, Ferdinand, Grangeville — will be joining in to help provide food and the program.

“We don’t know how many people will attend, but we plan to have plenty of food, which so far is 80 pounds of chicken,” Lori laughed. She said she tries to get as much as possible locally, and then has friends who are able to shop at Asian food stores in other areas. “Our freezer is full right now and we have lots of help, too.”

Members of the Nazarene and E-Free churches will be bringing side dishes to share, and any member of the public who is attending can bring an item to share, as well, but is not expected to do so.

“We just want to have a good time together, Praise the Lord and be a blessing to the community,” Lori said.

Dan and Lori have lived in Grangeville for 17 and one-half years and own Tabitha’s Barber Shop on Grangeville’s Main Street. Lori said as part of the “Year of Blessings,” there are a variety of other events scheduled this year, and organizers are already starting a list for 2026.

Those attending the July 13 event should bring a chair or blanket for seating.