WAURIKA — Thanksgiving is one of those special holidays that bring people together individually and collectively.
For many years, the holiday has been a rallying point for the Waurika Ministerial Alliance, and that will be the case once again on Tuesday, Nov. 20, when the alliance hosts its annual Feed the Multitudes Thanksgiving dinner. Serving begins at 4:40 and continues until 7 p.m. in the fair building at Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
The community-wide event is “a free feed,” according to Trevor Smith, minister at Waurika First United Methodist, but it’s more than just an opportunity for a good meal.
“For some of the people we serve, we know it’s their only Thanksgiving meal, and we’re glad we can provide it for them,” Smith said. “It’s really neat that the community and the churches can come together and do this every year, especially for those among us who won’t really have any other Thanksgiving dinner.”
In addition to FUMC, Waurika Assembly of God, Waurika First Baptist, Waurika First Christian Church, Irving Baptist Church and Waurika Church of the Nazarene form the alliance that puts together the event that serves a meal that features traditional fare to over 700 people annually.
“Each church furnishes four turkeys, 2 gallons of gravy, three pans of dressing and three sheet cakes for the meal, then we divide up the other things,” Smith explained, nothing that “other things” include mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and cranberry sauce.
Take out is available, although Smith noted that a majority of people enjoy staying at the fairgrounds to share the meal with family, friends and other area residents who attend.
“Less than half of our servings are take out,” he said. “We have people who take (the meal) home or take it to people who are homebound, but a lot of people like being together at the fair building.
“In the last couple years, we’ve had around 700 people. We didn’t have as many last year, but we’re preparing for 750 to 800 people this year.”
While the meal is free, donations will be accepted, which go to the Ministerial Alliance for its charitable projects.
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