Community Thanksgiving meal on Thursday — deadline to sign up for delivery is Sunday
Thanksgiving is Thursday, and preparations are underway to once again provide a community Thanksgiving meal this month through the Holiday Spirits Meals program.
The Thanksgiving meal will be served to anyone wishing to attend on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., in the Empire Room of Wilbarger Auditorium. There is no charge.
Those wishing a meal delivered may call 552-9436 through Sunday, Nov. 24. Deliveries will be made beginning at 10 a.m., on Thanksgiving Day. The doors will be opened to those dining in at the auditorium at noon.
The event, which offers free meals at both Thanksgiving and Christmas to all who wish to attend, was begun in 1987 by Vernon residents Pat and Glenna Bryant as a way of saying “thank you” to the community for their livelihood, their health and that of those they love. In 2016, the Bryants felt it was time to hand over their aprons to someone else and passed the responsibilities for the meals program to Sharon and Billy Goins, the current coordinators.
The Thanksgiving meal will include the traditional sliced turkey and ham along with cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, red beans, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, dessert, tea, coffee or water.
Those eating at the auditorium will have the opportunity to visit with others and enjoy the fellowship of Thanksgiving.
Prior to Thanksgiving Day, however, there is plenty of work to be done, and volunteers are more than welcomed.
On Wednesday, Nov, 20, Gayle Boyd and the Horizon Club will shred all of the loaves of bread used in making the dressing. On Saturday, Nov. 23, the turkeys will be smoked. Wednesday, Nov, 27 will be the Thanksgiving workday.
“We will open every can and get everything within an inch of being completed,” Sharon Goins said. “We will start at 9 a.m. an go until around 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Also on Nov. 27, we will need any cakes and pies delivered between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. The side entrances on Lamar Street will be open for easier access to drop off baked goods.
“Delivered meals will start leaving the Wilbarger County Auditorium at 10 a.m. or just as soon as the dressing is completely cooked. We will then open the doors to those who wish to dine in with us at noon or just as soon as we can. We cannot start serving those who dine in until all of the delivered meals have left the building, so, we really need folks to come out and bring their ice chests and take a route or two. Delivering meals usually only takes about 30 minutes and then you can be back home with your family.
Goins reported the following donations: Tyson’s food, hams, Dr. Carl Craighead, Cal-Maine Eggs, Chillicothe; United Supermarkets, C & N Flowers, Miller Auctions, and Ryan Mortz with Mrs. Baird’s Bakery, 135 loaves of bread.