Thanksgiving is a time for people to be thankful for what they have and to share what they can with those in need.
There are several upcoming opportunities to implement the spirit of the holiday locally.
One way is to get involved with The Alley’s annual free Thanksgiving meal.
This year’s event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at First Baptist Church, 505 Community Drive, Seymour. It marks the ninth year The Alley has organized the dinner.
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Sara Bowling, The Alley Kitchen manager, said 126 people attended last year. This year, they are planning to serve at least 150.
Old Fat Guy BBQ out of Columbus is providing six turkeys, three cooked and three smoked. Other items on the menu include ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, biscuits, pasta salad, cranberry salad and deviled eggs.
Volunteers will cook and serve the meal, which is open to anyone in the community, including the hungry and those who don’t want to spend the holiday alone.
"Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come," Bowling said. "Hopefully, we will reach a lot of people."
Transportation will be provided to those who need a ride to the church. Meals also are available to be delivered to the elderly, disabled and others who can’t attend.
During the meal, Alley member Lori Deaton will share her musical talents by singing and playing the keyboard.
Bowling said she has people contacting her daily about how they can help.
"We may have more volunteers than people coming to eat," she said. But she doesn’t want to discourage anyone who wants to get involved.
To find out how you can be a part of The Alley’s Thanksgiving or if you are in need of a ride to the meal or need a meal delivered, call Bowling at 812-946-0258.
Another opportunity for people to come together is through the annual free community Thanksgiving dinner in Brownstown.
With support from local residents, businesses and churches, the meal will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 27, the day before Thanksgiving, at Community Church of Brownstown, 117 W. Tanner St.
Pastor Terry Fordice said they are still in need of food donations, including canned green beans, boxes of instant mashed potato flakes, dinner rolls, turkeys and other traditional Thanksgiving menu items.
More volunteers also are needed to cook, serve, deliver and clean up, Fordice said.
By providing dine-in and carryout meals from Community Church of Brownstown and delivery from New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Brownstown, the event feeds more than 800 people.
Fordice said the two churches and the community have been coming together to offer the meal for around a decade now. It’s a big undertaking but one he said organizers and volunteers don’t mind.
"We are commanded to love others as we love ourselves," he said. "That’s what we are trying to do, show others that there are people who care about them."
The meal is open to all, he said.
"You don’t have to have a certain income or be at or below the poverty level," he said. "If you’re hungry or don’t want to be by yourself or just don’t feel like cooking, we want you to come. It is that time of year to be thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon us."
If you are in need of a meal delivered or would like to volunteer or donate, call or text Missy at 812-528-1189, Mike Weiler at 812-498-2722 or Fordice at 812-216-3836.
"We appreciate the support we get every year," Fordice said. "By the grace of God, we join together doing God’s work."
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What: Community Thanksgiving dinner
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 27
Where: Community Church of Brownstown, 117 W. Tanner St., Brownstown
Who: Open to everyone
Information: If you are in need of a meal delivered or would like to volunteer or donate, call or text Missy at 812-528-1189, Mike Weiler at 812-498-2722 or Terry Fordice at 812-216-3836
What: Free Thanksgiving meal
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 28
Where: First Baptist Church, 505 Community Drive, Seymour
Who: Open to everyone
Information: To find out how you can be a part of The Alley’s Thanksgiving or if you are in need of a ride to the meal or need a meal delivered, call Sara Bowling at 812-946-0258
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