Community Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Dinner

This Thanksgiving Central Reformed Church will be hosting the 14th annual Oskaloosa Community Thanksgiving Meal at noon on Thanksgiving Day. The meal is free of charge and open to anyone in the community.

Andy Baker, Director of Outreach at Central Reformed, says the meal has become a big part of the church in the 14 years since it started. “To be honest, as big of an undertaking as it is to prepare and serve a full Thanksgiving dinner to 150-200 people it has become a rather easy event because of the enthusiasm and generosity of so many in our church and community. This year we had all of the food donated several weeks before Thanksgiving, as well as nearly all of the 50 plus volunteer spots filled.” According to Baker, one of the neatest things about the meal each year “is the amount of love and effort that goes into it.

There are no corners cut with the food preparation. Basically everything is made from scratch, which means the peeling of fifty pounds of potatoes, the tears that come with cutting up dozens of onions, and the baking of two-dozen homemade pies. Not even the stuffing comes out of a box! To me the dedication of the volunteers here to serve the very finest meal possible shows the love they have for everyone in our community.” The menu also features ham and turkey, a variety of salads, bread, and more.

The meal is open to everyone in the community regardless of income or faith background. “We have people who attend the meal for a wide variety of reasons. For some it’s the year their kids celebrate with the other side of the family so they choose to keep it simple, others choose to bring their family here instead of going to the fuss of making a big meal, some simply enjoy getting to eat with so many others, and for others it is the only way they could have a big Thanksgiving dinner.

Everyone in the area is always warmly invited to join us for a great time of giving thanks, fellowshipping with others, and of course having an amazing meal.”

Baker added that reservations for the meal are appreciated to ensure enough food and seating is available, although no one will be turned away due to not making a reservation. Reservations can be made by calling the Central Reformed Church office at 641-673-3843, or online at www.centralosky.com.