Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – After almost 30 years, the Jonesboro Community Thanksgiving Meal is continuing to feed those in need.
According to Jonesboro Community Thanksgiving Meal coordinator Barbara Sanders, this year is shaping up to be the biggest one yet.
“We did 2,200 [people] last year and we’re looking at doing a little bit more than that,” she said, noting that workers are preparing to serve about 2,500 people this year. “We try to feed everybody that we possibly can.”
The free community meal will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, or until the food is gone, at the St. Bernards Auditorium, located at 505 E. Washington Ave.
One minor change to this year’s menu was the main dish. With the closure of Jonesboro’s Butterball location earlier this year, Sanders said the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, which donates the turkey every year, will instead be donating a combination of turkey, chicken and ham donated by Boar’s Head.
“We’ll start with one and just go ’til we run out and then switch to another so that way, we know everybody will get some sort of protein,” she said.
Sanders also noted that volunteers are always needed. There is no sign-up.
Those who want to volunteer can show up on the day of from 9-9:30 am. Sanders said workers will find a task that interests you, whether that is serving food, delivering meals, or just visiting with people so they are not alone on Thanksgiving.
“We try to get everybody where they’re happy doing what they wanted to do. Sometimes we can make it work, sometimes we can’t, but we do our best to,” she said.
To donate a dessert, drop off non-refrigerated desserts in disposable containers on Nov. 26 from 1-5 p.m. at the St. Bernards Auditorium, and notify meal workers if the dessert is sugar-free so it can be kept separate.
To pre-order for delivery, contact the First Methodist Church at 870-790-0624 by Nov. 26 during normal business hours, or order online. No online orders will be accepted after 11:59 pm on Nov. 25.
There is a limit of up to six meals per family/address; however, those needing more can contact jonesborocommunitythanksgiving@gmail.com to explain the situation. Deliveries are within Jonesboro city limits only.
Thanksgiving Day orders must be called in from 8-10 a.m. at 870-336-2358. Delivery orders placed by phone or online will be served first. Meals will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We ask everybody to be patient with us because we never know how many we’re going to have to drive and deliver,” Sanders said. “We’ve got drivers working their way to you. So, if you don’t get it really quick, don’t panic.”
For more information or updates on the event, visit Jonesboro Community Thanksgiving on Facebook.
