Serving More Than Meals

In celebration of the holiday, Oklahoma nonprofits are serving up traditional Thanksgiving meals to people who need them most. For those served, a warm meal represents more than just dinner service; it’s an opportunity to connect and experience a sense of belonging.  

“We’ve been serving [Thanksgiving meals] for as long as I’ve been here,” says Erin Goodin, president and CEO at City Rescue Mission in OKC. “The thought behind it is to create a community on Thanksgiving, so that no one is left eating at the table by themselves.” 

For weeks, volunteers and staff are hard at work prepping turkeys and vegetables for City Rescue Mission’s annual Thanksgiving banquet. On Thanksgiving Day — this year on Nov. 27 — the Oklahoma City nonprofit will serve free breakfast in the morning and a traditional Thanksgiving meal later in the day to its clients. 

Founded in 1960, City Rescue Mission helps those experiencing homelessness in the OKC metro. The faith-based nonprofit assists its clients with obtaining safe housing and becoming self-sufficient.

The Thanksgiving banquet gives City Rescue Mission’s clients an opportunity to gather and connect with others during the holidays. 

“A lot of times the people that we serve lack a good social support system,” Goodin explains. “So we really become that for them while we try to connect them back into the community.” 

The nonprofit served meals to 1,300 people last year. To make the banquet possible, the City Rescue Mission relies on hundreds of volunteers to help prepare food, set up tables, and serve guests. 

“All of our volunteers give up a day that they could spend with their families to serve others,” shares Goodin. “It’s amazing to see. We have 300 people here on Thanksgiving Day that have sacrificed time at home to give back and be a part of something bigger.” 

To get involved, go to cityrescue.org/volunteer.

In 1981, the Paradise family organized the first community Thanksgiving dinner in Edmond, inviting anyone who wished to join. The family’s small act of kindness has turned into a long-standing tradition that has fed thousands of people over the years.  

This Thanksgiving, the Edmond Community Thanksgiving Dinner will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bronco Room on the UCO campus. The meal features traditional holiday fixings, including turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cornbread, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. 

In the same spirit as the first community dinner, anyone is welcome to come. 

“A lot of people think that we’re just feeding people who are homeless,” says Gary Smith, who has volunteered for the organization since 2007. “Although we do get folks in those demographics, we also cater to the students at UCO who are away from their families and don’t get to travel home.” 

Last year, the Edmond Community Thanksgiving Dinner Association served approximately 900 people on Thanksgiving Day. The nonprofit also relies on a robust group of volunteers to set up, cook food and provide table service to guests. 

Volunteers are needed throughout November and on Thanksgiving Day. Smith encourages people to follow the Edmond Community Dinner Thanksgiving Facebook page to receive updates about volunteer opportunities. 

“When you get to see another family connect — knowing that you were part of the catalyst for that happening — it gives you a special feeling that this [dinner] needs to continue,” shares Smith. “We’re doing everything in our power to make that happen.” 

To learn more about the organization, check out edmondthanksgivingdinner.org. 

The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has gathered over 6,000 turkeys and 2,000 hams to distribute for Thanksgiving this year. The nonprofit, which has long-served meals on Thanksgiving Day, began placing orders for Thanksgiving turkeys in February. 

Dedicated to ending food insecurity in Oklahoma, the food bank has experienced increasing demand for its services. 

“In the last year, we’ve seen a 26% increase in the number of guests seeking help that have never used one of our pantries before,” says Jeff Marlow, CEO at the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

This year, the organization will distribute 150 Thanksgiving meals to families in need. These ready-to-eat meals include traditional proteins and sides. 

“For people that may not have the resources to prepare their own fresh-cooked meals, it means a lot to them,” adds Marlow. 

The food bank needs volunteers to help with preparing and packaging the Thanksgiving meals this year. People can also support the food bank by hosting a food drive or donating funds to the organization. 

“Just knowing that we’re making a difference in people’s lives is what drives us every day,” reflects Marlow. “So many people out there don’t have family support … The food bank is that safety net and family support system for so many people. That’s what gets me excited and makes me want to do more every day.”  

To register for volunteer opportunities, go to okfoodbank.org/volunteer.