Serving an early Thanksgiving dinner is one local nonprofit’s way of continuing to say “thank you” to the whole community.
The annual Thanksgiving feast coordinated by Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store will return to the Ellijay First Baptist Church (FBC) Fellowship Hall Saturday, Nov. 11. It will last from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
“From donations to volunteers, it takes both of them to make (the recycle store) work and keep us giving back to the community,” said Cheryl Worley, FHC board chair, about how purchases made at the thrift store help others. That is done through such FHC programs as giving grants to other nonprofits and community groups, a community benevolence fund and college scholarships for local students.
The dinner, at which FHC volunteers and others team up to serve attendees, was reintroduced last year after being on hold for 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think we had about 1,600 (attend) the last pre-COVID event. Last year, we had a little over 500 (attend),” Worley said.
More volunteers are needed to help with the upcoming event, which will be held on Veterans Day. The volunteer team usually includes representatives of various local businesses, churches and nonprofits, Worley said.
“We encourage businesses and organizations to volunteer, and wear their business’ or their agency’s shirt, to show that Gilmer County can all work together,” she added.
The community Thanksgiving dinner is not for any one specific group of people. It’s open to anyone who wishes to attend, Worley emphasized. There’s no charge for the meal.
“Everybody in the community is welcome — any and everybody,” Worley said. “We will have a typical Thanksgiving menu. Faith, Hope and Charity funds (the dinner), but we do ask for the turkeys and desserts to be donated.”
Dessert donations can be dropped off Nov. 9 and 10, from 1-5 p.m., at a drive-thru in the First Baptist parking lot.
“We’ll take it out of your vehicle, and you won’t even have to get out,” Worley said.
A meeting for event volunteers has been scheduled for Friday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m., at the FBC Fellowship Hall, located at 164 Dalton Street.
“It’s preferred that the volunteers come to this meeting so they can have their assignment for the next day, but if something stands in the way of them being there, and they still want to volunteer, we’re not going to say no,” Worley said.
For more details about volunteering at the community Thanksgiving dinner, call 678-468-4072.