BEMIDJI -- Organizers of an annual community Thanksgiving meal hope local residents can make it to St. Philip's Catholic Church Thursday to enjoy made-from-scratch food and some good company, too.
Now entering its 36th year, the Thanksgiving Community Meal feeds about 600 people, with about 300 to 400 who sit down at the event and 200 homebound residents who have their turkey and fixings delivered.
Marcine Plemel, event committee co-chair, said prep work on the food started earlier this week; however, planning for the Thanksgiving feast begins even before that.
"It happens toward the beginning of the year. We have a meeting following the meal to talk about what we can do better and what we can expand upon, then from there it's dormant until after summer," Plemel said. "In the first part of September, we get together and go through our last notes and start prepping for the upcoming year. That includes checking supplies and the number of orders."
Another decision is where to have the event. While St. Philip's Catholic Church is the site this year, the event rotates to six other churches on a yearly basis; churches that can handle the prep work and the amount of people that stop by.
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The meals being served Thursday include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, dinner rolls, coleslaw, cranberries and pumpkin pie. All of the food is made possible by almost 70 volunteers who help on a yearly basis. The volunteers also assist in delivering meals and providing rides for those who can't make it on their own.
Plemel said she hopes as many people can make it to not only enjoy the food, but also to be around others for the day.
"People are often really grateful and happy. Some come to be fed but others come to have people around them because they may not have anybody to share the meal with," Plemel said. "That's why we encourage people to come to the meal if they can rather than staying home.
"It becomes a big mess of people that are having a good time eating and talking," said Plemel. "It also gives the people working a chance to feel like they're giving back. It's a real upbeat gathering."
Meals will be served from noon until 1:30 p.m. St. Philip's Catholic Church is located at 702 Beltrami Ave. NW.
Those seeking rides or meal deliveries are asked to call Plemel at (218) 556-0788.
