United by turkey, mashed potatoes and the spirit of togetherness, Johnson County Thanksgiving Banquet has become one of the community’s most popular holiday traditions.
More than 800 people were fed at last year’s event. Whole families have made the free dinner part of their Thanksgiving plans, eating side-by-side with those who might not have any other place to go.
But in order to make it happen, organizers need your help.
Donations are being accepted to help pay for the meal, which includes purchasing more than 50 turkeys, pounds of mashed potatoes and dozens of pies.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryThe cost to put on the event is $5,000. So far this year, organizers have received $500 from a single donor.
“Our biggest challenge remains to be fundraising,” said Richard Goss, chairman of the banquet. “Our goal is to find more corporate sponsors who are willing to donate every year and alleviate the funding uncertainty of past years. And because we are a community building event, we’d like to see more folks just come and take part in the meal.”
The banquet was established in 2008, when church and civic leaders wanted to create a healing event to help the ailing community following that summer’s devastating floods.
About 600 meals were served during that first dinner. The years that followed brought recession and economic strife, and more and more people attended.
Organizers said they anticipate serving more than 900 meals this year, Goss said.
Though the focus of the banquet is to ensure that everyone has a hot Thanksgiving meal if they want one, the event has also become an important way to bring people from all parts of the community together, said George Dodd, a member of the banquet board.
“The banquet has become an important community tradition as we continue to provide this meal to anyone in need,” he said. “Many of our guests attend because they lack the financial means to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. Many others, however, attend because they are alone and value the fellowship the banquet offers.”
The event’s success directly stems from the support that local businesses and individuals have provided it, Dodd said. In addition to the cash donations needed to buy supplies for a full Thanksgiving meal, people are needed to do everything from seat people to clear tables to deliver meals to residents who are homebound and unable to travel to the banquet.
More than 300 people are needed to put the banquet on, Goss said. Volunteers are given shifts of an hour or 1½ hours, with one crew coming in the day before Thanksgiving to prepare the turkeys, while the bulk of people are needed throughout the day of the banquet for a variety of jobs.
People can also help by baking a dessert, which will need to be dropped off between 5 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23, the night before the banquet.
Organizers are partnering with Johnson County Senior Services for the delivery portion. If people currently get Meals on Wheels or other assistance though the organization, then they can ask senior services to be added to the delivery list. People can also call 317-662-0199 to be added, Dodd said.
Delivery drivers start working at 9 a.m. to take meals all over the county. They are asked to provide their own transportation, be at least 18, provide proof of insurance and possess a valid drivers license.
Donations and volunteers are still needed, Dodd said. People can sign up to help, as well as donate, by contacting organizers by email at [email protected] or calling 317-662-0199.
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Johnson County Thanksgiving Banquet
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24
Where: Scott Hall, Johnson County fairgrounds.
What: A full turkey dinner will be served free of charge. No reservations are required. Delivery to homebound residents will also be available, though arrangements need to be made in advance.
How to help: If you are interested in volunteering or would like to register for homebound delivery, please call (317) 662-0199. Volunteers can also e-mail [email protected].
More information is available by calling or e-mailing, or at the group’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/JohnsonCoBanquets
Donations can be made through PayPal at Johnson County Banquets, or by cash or check sent to Johnson County Banquets, P.O. Box 207, Franklin, IN 46131
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