By Chad Frey
Newton Kansan

Sharon Allen has been helping plan the Community Thanksgiving Dinner for about 10 years. That planning process is a year-long process, but one that for members of the committee is worth it.

“It is the smiles it puts on faces,” Allen said. “It’s so many of our senior citizens that request delivery [and the reponse] ‘Oh, that just makes my day. My spouse is sick, or we can’t get out anymore.’ There are many sad stories that they have. It just gives you a warm feeling that you can make somebody else’s day better.”

The community Thanksgiving Dinner set a post-pandemic record, for the second consecutive year, in 2023 serving up 1,706 meals free of charge to the community. The previous year about 1,500 were served.

“We have been gong up every year,” Allen said.

In 2022, of the 1,500 meals served, about 1,100 were carryout and delivery. About 400 people chose to eat their meal at Grace Community Church on Thanksgiving.

“The weather does not sound too good,” Allen said. “If the weather is bad, and you don’t feel like getting out, we will deliver.”

The Community Thanksgiving Dinner committee will be serving the traditional meal from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Grace Community Church, 1600 S. Anderson.

The meal is open to anyone, by design.

“Just come, enjoy a good meal and friendship,” Allen said.

The meal is free, cooked and served by volunteers.

“We never turn help away,” Allen said. “… If you want to serve, we will try and find a place for you.”

The menu includes turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, cranberries, hot rolls, pie, cake, coffee and tea.

For delivery call 316-283-2554 on Nov. 28.