Submitted
The free Community Thanksgiving Feast, sponsored by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance (ECMA), will have some familiar features this year, as well as some new ones.
Once again, the dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, at the Kansas National Guard Armory, 200 Main St.
One new aspect this year is there will be no reservations. The meal is first-come, first served. Another new feature is there will be no individual carry-out meals.
Elderly, homebound, and disabled individuals may get home delivery by contacting First Call for Help of Ellis County at (785) 623-2800. “We have limited delivery slots available,” said Macey Pfeifer, First Call’s executive director, as she encouraged people to call early.
On the menu will be roasted turkey, dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, a roll, drink, and dessert.
The Union Catering Co. is catering the main meal. The ECMA is seeking desserts from churches and individuals. Desserts may be brought to First Call for Help’s office, 607 E. 13th, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, through Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Cheryl Glassman, ECMA president, said volunteers are needed at the dinner, beginning at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, to help with set-up, serving plates, slicing pies, cleaning up, and other duties. Volunteers may sign up by calling First Call for Help at the above phone number.
Another familiar aspect of the dinner will be the grocery give-away. Every household in attendance who wants one will receive a free sack of groceries, Glassman said.
The ECMA Thanksgiving Food Drive to fill those sacks will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at both Dillons Grocery Stores in Hays and at Walmart. Shoppers at all three locations will be given a list of needed items that they may purchase and donate.
Groceries will be sorted and sacked from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, and 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 2900 Canal Blvd. Church Pastor Ben Houchen, who is organizing the food drive, said volunteers are needed both at the food drive and at the sorting and sacking events. On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 25, volunteers will also be needed to transport the sacks of groceries to the armory. Again, volunteers may sign up to help with these events by calling First Call for Help at the above phone number.
Glassman said the ECMA sponsors the free community meal each Thanksgiving because “Thanksgiving is a time for gathering--gathering with family, gathering with community. There are also people who are alone for the holidays. . . We want people to feel welcome. All are invited.”
Tax deductible donations to help with the cost of the dinner may be sent to ECMA, P.O. Box 173, Hays, KS 67601.