Red Oak Community Thanksgiving Dinner offers food, fellowship, and hope

The Red Oak community is once again invited to gather around the table this Thanksgiving Day for the annual Red Oak Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the YMCA.

Reverend Caryn Pedersen of the Presbyterian Church in Red Oak and organizer Jody Hossle joined KCSI to share details about the event, which has been a local tradition since 2008. What began as an effort by several pastors and community members to provide a place for people to spend the holiday has grown into a true community-wide project.

The free community meal will be held on Thanksgiving Day at the Red Oak YMCA.
Serving runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The YMCA has partnered with organizers since the beginning, providing a central, accessible location with plenty of parking and space for guests to gather.

Guests will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, rolls, salads, and desserts. Hy-Vee prepares the turkey, potatoes, gravy, and green bean casserole, while community volunteers supply homemade rolls, salads, desserts, and stuffing.

There is no cost to attend. A donation basket will be available for those who wish to help cover the cost of the meal and supplies, but no one is ever turned away.

Hossle coordinates volunteers and organizes donations of food and funds. She says it takes many hands to prepare, serve, and clean up after feeding around 100 people in just a couple of hours. Fareway helps by donating paper products, and many individuals contribute desserts, salads, and financial gifts.

Food is ordered for roughly 100 guests each year, and organizers say they typically come close to serving that number. Any leftover food is shared, often through the community fridge, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

While walk-ins are welcome, organizers ask that people RSVP if possible so they can plan the right amount of food.

This year, the Presbyterian Church has purchased Bibles that will be available at the dinner for anyone who wants one. Pedersen says they hope to feed people with God’s word as well as with the Thanksgiving meal.