Organizers of the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner expect another large crowd to gather around the holiday table this season, and they are looking for the public’s help.
“Over 900 meals were served last year and we are very excited and look forward to another great year,” said Mark and Sheila Zachary in a press release. “As you are aware, this community ministry is built on God — knowing Him and making Him known — and each year what opportunities He gives us at the dinner to share Him, His love, His grace and His provisions. He has shown us that the success of this event is directly related to the dedication of following His guidance, the generosity from area churches, and from the commitment of His children.”
This year’s dinner will be Nov. 28 at First United Methodist Church, 212 E. Wabash Ave., and includes a traditional meal of turkey, noodles, mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans, homemade dressing, applesauce, cranberry sauce, rolls, butter and an assortment of desserts and beverages. Dine-in, carry-out and home-delivery will be available again.
The holiday dinner was established for no particular group or individual, but instead to provide a time for community members to come together and share in the day.
“We invite Wabash men who are unable to travel home for the holidays; parents who have children visiting from a distance and are unable to accommodate the visiting families; brothers and sisters who are together after periods of separation and would enjoy the time to catch-up without the hassle of food preparation and clean-up; those who would otherwise be spending the holidays alone; or those who are without the means of preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal,” the Zacharys said.
In order to make the dinner a success, organizers need help from the community. They estimate that the following food donations will be needed: 35 cooked and carved turkeys; 35 (6-pound, 5-ounce) cans of green beans; 20 (21-ounce) boxes of Hungry Jack Instant potatoes; 30 (6-pound, 5 ounce cans of applesauce and cranberry sauce; 75 dozen rolls; 75 homemade pies; and an assortment of other desserts. All other food items, as well as paper products, will be purchased from monetary donations.
As many as 50-60 volunteers are also needed to help in a variety of ways.
Prior to Thanksgiving Day, volunteers are needed to help with food preparation, wall and table decorations and dining room set-up. On Thanksgiving Day, volunteers are needed to work a variety of shifts between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to prepare and serve dining room meals; prepare carry-out meals; deliver meals to home-bound; seat and serve guests; clean and reset tables; and clean-up the facility.
As in the past, organizers will begin the day with a Community Worship Service from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Seating for the worship service begins at 11:45 a.m.
Home deliveries will begin at 10:30 a.m.; transportation services will begin at 11:30 a.m.; and dinner will be served 12:30-3 p.m.
To volunteer time, donate a turkey, commit time cooking a turkey or other food items; call Mark or Sheila Zachary at either 765-376-4365 or 765-376-9624 between the hours of 9 a.m. and
10 p.m.
Financial support is also welcome. Contributions may be mailed to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, P.O. Box 23, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Make all checks payable to “Community Thanksgiving Dinner.”
