Feed the People at Grove on Thanksgiving; volunteers, dishes needed

A grassroots effort will provide food and friendship for all who need them on Thanksgiving, organizers said.

Feed the People has scheduled a dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving), at The Historic Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.

Volunteers will be needed to help as early as 9 a.m. and as late as 8 p.m.

“Whether you can help for an hour or more, we need you!” Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn said in an email.

She said meals will also be delivered throughout Oak Ridge. Call (865) 730-0331 to request a delivery for yourself or anyone you know of that is need.

Prepared dishes are greatly needed.

“We really need your home-cooked goodies,” Baughn said. “Feel free to drop off a dish or two in a disposable container to our event. Drop-off times start at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving day, preferably by 3 p.m. It’s always such a blessing to receive these yummy dishes to serve. Thank you!”

Last year, the group fed almost 500 people, thanks to the generosity of many local businesses, volunteers, and religious organizations, a flyer said. And the need could be similar or even greater this year.

“Would you consider helping?” the flyer said. “There are numerous ways you can assist, from donating perishable and/or not-perishable items, to donating financially, or even by helping us spread the word through your organization.”

Feed the People is not sponsored by any single religious or nonprofit group, but High Places Community Church has agreed to serve as fiscal agent. If you need demonstration of no-tax identification before you can donate, you can receive it by calling the Rev. David Allred at (865) 684-9575 or by sending an email to highplaceschurch@comcast.net.

For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/site/orcommunitytgdinner/. You can also call (865) 425-0501 or visit www.feedthepeople.us for more information.