Today is the last day to register for a free, homemade turkey-and-trimmings Thanksgiving day meal from two local churches. And a third church’s deadline for a day-before Thanksgiving meal delivery was last week for food packed at Sandy Hook United Methodist for a student’s senior project.
Organizers at Columbus Baptist Church said Friday afternoon they were in the midst of a flurry of calls for reservations for either dine-in or delivery meals. The church, with help from volunteers from other churches and the general public, plans to prepare more than 1,000 meals, according to its pastor, Charles Kennedy. Last year, it served 986 meals, with about 80 percent of them being delivery and 20 percent dine-in.
First Christian, the other church serving meals, is doing only delivery since that’s what most of its diners have requested, organizers said. Nearly 400 reservations had been made by Friday afternoon.
Last year, First Christian volunteers prepared more than 500 meals, and earlier, they said they expected this year’s total to be about the same. Columbus Baptist is making plans to provide 1,000 meals.
The meals have nothing to do with financial need, though some recipients say they would struggle to prepare a full holiday meal because of age or infirmity.
The meals began especially as a way for those without nearby family to have a way to celebrate Thanksgiving with others while avoiding dining alone or battling loneliness. Plus, those who make deliveries with both churches try to be mindful of those alone on the holiday or those who just need to see a friendly face, organizers have said.
First Christian works alongside Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center and also the local post office on the meal.
To reserve a meal from First Christian: 812-379-4491.
To reserve a meal from Columbus Baptist: Keri Dutcher at 812-314-9767 or Paul Henderson at 812-371-1400.
