By Debbie Robinson
news@joplinglobe.com
Gayle Warren will have her hands full Thursday when the First United Methodist Church in Joplin prepares its annual Thanksgiving meal for the community.
Warren, who was making pumpkin rolls last week, will oversee the preparation of 150 pounds of turkey, 50 pounds of ham and more.
“This is something God has given me to do,” Warren said. “I love feeding people, so when they asked me if I would take over this, I said I would be glad to.”
Last year, volunteers at the church served free holiday meals to 411 people.
“I love watching people come in, who don’t have a place to go, sit down and get waited on,” Warren said.
Capt. Mary Poff at the Joplin Salvation Army voiced similar thoughts about the organization’s annual community dinner.
“We just love the people we have here and those who come in our doors,” Poff said.
The organization is planning a traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared and served by more than 100 volunteers.
“The people who volunteer for us have really big hearts,” Poff said. “This is a great opportunity to help those in the community who don’t have the means to do this themselves.”
Here are some examples of area churches and organizations that are offering free meals on Thanksgiving Day. Volunteer opportunities also are included.
Joplin
n First United Methodist Church will serve its holiday meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church at Fourth Street and Byers Avenue.
More than 400 people are expected to be served the traditional meal.
Donations of salads, sweet potato dishes and desserts are needed.
Volunteers are being sought to help wash dishes and deliver meals.
Details: (417) 623-2796.
n The Salvation Army will serve holiday dinners from noon to 2 p.m. in the organization’s gymnasium at Eighth Street and Kentucky Avenue.
Culinary students at Franklin Technology Center in Joplin will be helping with the cooking and the baking of more than 30 pies. School and church groups will serve as volunteers.
About 200 people are expected to be served.
Details: (417) 624-4528.
n Souls Harbor will serve a Thanksgiving brunch at 9:30 a.m. at 915 S. Main St.
Staff and volunteers from a Christian motorcycle organization and from Forest Park Baptist Church will prepare and serve the meal, said Joan Lewis, director of Souls Harbor.
The brunch will consist of biscuits and gravy, eggs, fruit and other items, she said.
This is the second year for the brunch.
“We did it last year, and it was so successful,” Lewis said. “It frees up time in the afternoon for people who want to do something else.
About 75 people attended last year.
n South Joplin Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1901 S. Pearl Ave., will have its ninth annual community Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall.
The church is seeking volunteers who can help between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. the day of the dinner.
Details: (417) 825-2976.
n Wildwood Baptist Church will have a community dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church at 4827 E. 20th St.
The public is invited.
Details: (417) 623-6466.
Carthage
n First United Methodist Church at Seventh and Main streets will serve a Thanksgiving feast from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Those attending are asked to enter through the west door.
The church is inviting anyone who would like the fellowship of others on the holiday but doesn’t have anyplace else to go. Music will be provided.
Meals also will be delivered, and transportation will be provided for those who want to eat at the church. Registration for rides or delivery is available by calling the church at (417) 358-3533 today through Wednesday.
Volunteers are needed.
Grove, Okla.
n The Grove Senior Citizens Center, 145 E. O’Daniel Parkway, east of the fire station, will offer a community dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Takeout dinners will be available beginning at 11 a.m.
Grove firemen and policemen will be delivering meals to homebound residents from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
More than 500 people were served last year, and volunteers are preparing to serve at least 600 this year.
Reservations for the free dinner or delivery may be made by calling (918) 786-6310.
Lamar
n First Baptist Church, 1301 E. Sixth St., will be serving a traditional dinner beginning at noon at the church.
Delivery of meals to homebound people will begin at 10:30 a.m., and takeout meals also will be available.
Dinners also are taken to inmates at the Barton County Jail.
Pittsburg, Kan.
n St. John Lutheran Church, 304 W. Third St., will serve a community Thanksgiving dinner for residents of the Pittsburg and Frontenac areas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Home deliveries will be between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
About 500 people are expected to share a meal.
Details: (620) 231-4085.
Webb City
n First Presbyterian Church at Broadway and Ball Street will have its 13th annual free Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall.
Details: (417) 673-2729.
