A free Be Thankful Thanksgiving meal was served to community members Nov. 25 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center and Library.
Library director Robbee Tonubbee said the event began when she was approached about eight years ago by Jennifer Steen and Taylor Mitchell.
“They were just two young ladies in the community who wanted to do something and so we started gathering volunteers,” Tonubbee said. “We have a Facebook group. People would volunteer to show up and serve. People bring in all the food, and I think that first year we served about 300 people. The next few years, 3-400 people.”
According to Tonubbee, the numbers were down a little this year and she expected approximately 300 people to be served the meal, that could also be taken to go.
“Anybody in the community can come,” she said. “It’s about fellowship, visiting, have some Thanksgiving. It’s not focused on one group of people. We have college students, we have unhoused, we have people who have no family here and we have people who just like coming. We have repeat families who have been here every year. They love coming up here.
“It’s for the whole community. That’s why it’s called Be Thankful. It’s for anyone who wants to come and have some food and fellowship.”
She said the library hosts the event and the rest comes from volunteers.
“Webstaurant donates a lot of material too and the Hands of Hope Food Bank,” Tonubbee said. “Because our Friends of the Library is a non-profit, all the paper goods, cups dispensers, to-go containers, chafing dishes, everything is donated, so the library just provides a space.”
