Faribault Community Thanksgiving Dinner Asking for Volunteers

The annual Faribault Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be served again on Thanksgiving day Thursday, November 24, at the American Legion Post 43.

One of the organizers of the event, Julie Fox, will be joining us on AM Minnesota to give us details about the event, which was started in 1986 by Jerry and Mel Hlady, former owners of McNamara's Restaurant and Pub in downtown Faribault.

Fox will be joined by volunteer John Battles on Monday's AM Minnesota program beginning at 9:30AM.

The Hladys had suffered the loss of parents that year and decided to start the event with very little fanfare.

They served nearly 300 people the first year and now the number of people indulging in the sit-down meal with all the trimmings at the Faribault American Legion has grown to between 1,200 and 1,500.

Initially there were no delivered meals but now scores of meals are delivered on Thanksgiving day.

That's generally how I start my Thanksgiving day, and have for a number of years now. Because so many people volunteer to deliver meals I usually only get to deliver between three and six meals.

It's great so many people volunteer because then people will receive their meal piping hot and don't have to wait too long for their meal. A turkey sandwich for later consumption is usually included with the meal.

I also take a meal home and it saves me on leftovers and the hassle of cooking. I usually dive in as soon as I get home and turn on the football games and watch and nap throughout the afternoon.

Again this year volunteers are needed to assist in cooking the turkeys and preparing the other goodies.

Here is the schedule for volunteers:

Tuesday, November 22: Turkey Cooking

• First shift: 8:30-10:30AM
• Second shift: 1:30-3:30PM

 Wednesday, November 23

Turkey Carving, Potato Peeling and table setting: 6PM. (Bring your own peeler please)

Thanksgiving Day

• 7:30AM: kitchen helpers
• 10:30AM: Meals for home delivery and meal service helpers
• 11:30AM to 2PM: Meal is served
• 2-3PM: clean-up helpers

Home delivery requests for meals must be received by Wednesday, November 23, by calling the Senior Center at 332-7357.

Cash, checks payable to the Faribault Foundation, and/or nonperishable food item donations are welcome.

I'll be there with my potato peeler and hope to see some of you also. The incredible thing about this event is there are no sign up sheets. People just show up each year and it works.