Thanksgiving community meal again planned in Charles City

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Everything is lined up for the traditional Charles City community Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, and is ready for the cooking and the eating.

Bill Cavanaugh, a former county sheriff who said this is his 30th year helping with the annual event, was the guest speaker at the Charles City Rotary Club Monday.

“I usually come by at Thanksgiving and say, ‘I need money for Thanksgiving.’ I don’t,” he said.

“I don’t need any pies. I don’t need any turkeys. The community has come together in such a ‘wow’ fashion that I don’t have to go around begging to keep this thing going,” Cavanaugh said, while also giving credit to the primary organizer, Kim Watkins.

“Kim has taken care of this thing,” he said. “We’re rocking this year.”

The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 705 3rd Ave. The menu will include all the usual holiday favorites — turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, corn, beans, salads, rolls and pie.

Deliveries are also available, and can be reserved by calling the church at 641-228-6772, preferably by Wednesday.

Deliveries will be made between about 10:30 and 11 a.m. Thursday.

There is no charge for the meal, but freewill donations are accepted to help pay for the next year’s event.

The community meal was designed as a way to help ensure no one has to eat alone during the holiday. Last year almost 350 people were served, including deliveries.

Cavanaugh noted that meals are also available to Meals on Wheels recipients, and to all the detainees in the Floyd County Jail.

“For 30 years we’ve been taking them Thanksgiving dinner,” he said.

Cavanaugh said he appreciates the support of the community every year.

“In the words of my hero, Red Green, ‘We’re all in this together,’” Cavanaugh said. “That’s the best way to put it, and we’re doing good that way.”