Faribault Community Thanksgiving Dinner Ready

My potato peeler saw no action tonight as I joined scores of people at the Faribault Eagles Club to do meal preparation for tomorrow's Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

The awesome growth of the event is amazing with people of all ages assisting in doing some work.

This year I got to chop some potatoes into little chunks after they were peeled for easier mashing tomorrow morning.

There are no sign up sheets for the event and a lot of people brought their own potato peeler.

Next year I have to remember to bring a cutting board because we were a little low on those, but everything organizers Travis and Laura McColley wanted to get done was accomplished by about 6:35 p.m.

I arrived just before 6:00 p.m. after recording my evening news for KDHL.

The parking lot was packed because scores of people were enjoying the regular Tuesday night Bingo at the Eagles.

I joked I should get a card while cutting potatoes but did not attempt to do it.

Some Faribault Falcons boys basketball players were there getting turkeys ready for baking and peeling potatoes just ended as I arrived.

I was going to title this post a labor of love but there really is not any labor involved when so many people share in the work.

The Faribault Foundation takes care of the bills for the effort although there are a lot of donations.

More volunteers are needed tomorrow to deliver meals (you can arrive at Eagles Club beginning at 10:00 a.m. to assist with that) servers are also needed because it is a sit down meal people get to enjoy.

Serving is from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Eagles.  Cooks help prepare the food in the morning so it's piping hot for the meal.

I overheard the number of meals to deliver is at approximately 389 going into the big day.

Fire Chief Dustin Dienst helps send meal deliverers out because of his required knowledge of all the streets in Faribault to help people who might not know.

I just plug the addresses into my vehicle navigation system which is nice to have.

The chore most people probably don't enjoy as much but is equally important is clean up.  Volunteers are needed for that after the serving concludes at 2:00 p.m. and if there are enough volunteers it will be over in about an hour.

The McColleys are grateful for the Eagles allowing them to use their facility and all the community members who volunteer in preparation, cooking, serving, and cleaning.

Faribault is not the only community with a FREE Thanksgiving meal but what makes it unique is no sign up sheets for the meal and it's open to anyone.

Meal deliveries are also somewhat unique in Faribault.

There are no income guidelines.  A non-perishable food item for the food shelf is always welcomed and people may make a monetary donation if they want.  Checks should be made out to the Faribault Foundation which is tax deductible.

Kenyon has having their "1st Annual Blake's Free Community Thanksgiving" at the VFW downtown.  Serving is from Noon until 3:00 p.m.

Organizers are asking for people to bring a dish or item to pass with the meat provided by "Blake Miller Memorial."

They are requesting sign up on their Facebook page or by phoning or texting 507-581-4007.  A count is welcomed to know how much meat to prepare.

Cannon Falls has their annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner at St. Pius V Catholic Church with serving from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Their menu includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, a dinner roll, cranberries and pumpkin pie.

Cannon Falls does provide meal delivery with a limit of one meal per person.  There are no takeout meals and there is no charge however a free will donation is appreciated.

All of us at KDHL/POWER 96 Radio hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Remember to give thanks for the many farmers who help feed the world and police and fire professionals who keep us safe 24 hours a day every day.  Many of them have to work and don't get to enjoy a meal with their family.