Churches, shelters offer Thanksgiving Day meals w/ Thanksgiving dinner history, trivia

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

Area residents don’t have to cook or pick up a check to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.

Turkey and all the trimmings will be served to anyone who wants a meal at holiday dinners sponsored by churches and other groups throughout the region.

Planners of several dinners say they expect the economic downturn to translate to a larger turnout.

n Those who wish can start their holiday feasting early with a Thanksgiving brunch starting at 9 a.m. at Souls Harbor, 915 S. Main St. in Joplin.

A “breakfast smorgasbord” will be served, said Joan Lewis, director. She said planners decided to offer an early meal “because there were so many dinners already scheduled.”

n The Joplin Salvation Army will serve Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. at the organization’s headquarters at 320 E. Eighth St.

About 300 meals were served last year, and Leslie Grissom, kitchen manager, said organizers are planning for about 350 people this year “because of the economy.”

Area residents who want to help can take food in advance or volunteer that day, Grissom said.

“We can always use turkeys and pumpkin pie,” she said. “The culinary department at Franklin Tech has baked 30 pumpkin pies for us, but I know we’ll need more.”

Volunteers who want to help on Thanksgiving Day may show up at 10 a.m. to help with the meal or to serve as “extended family” for homeless people and others who dine.

n The First United Methodist Church of Joplin will have its 12th annual Thanksgiving Day dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Life Center at Fourth Street and Moffet Avenue.

Main dishes will be cooked at the church, and church members will provide salads, side dishes and desserts. Last year, about 500 meals were served, said Vanessa Vigneaux, administrative assistant at the church.

n The First Presbyterian Church of Webb City will serve its 15th annual community Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. in the church annex at Broadway and Ball Avenue.