No one in the community should be alone on Thanksgiving. That’s the message from local churches preparing next week’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

It’s easy for folks to be isolated because of circumstances, distance from loved ones or financial reasons, said David Pool, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Powell.

“But there’s really no reason for anyone to be isolated this holiday, because this is just a fun and festive time to get together and give thanks to the Lord,” Pool said.

The 16th annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at the new multi-use exhibit hall at the Park County Fairgrounds in Powell.

“This year, we are looking forward to being the first organization to host a large event in the new building,” said Karrie Tracy, who is helping organize this year’s dinner.

A traditional Thanksgiving meal will be served — turkey with gravy and cranberries, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, assorted salads, breads, side dishes and, of course, pie.

“All the food is donated and prepared by local faith communities and individuals,” Tracy said.

The free dinner is open to everyone. Donations will be accepted and will go toward the Christmas Basket Program and Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes.

Residents sometimes mistakenly think the dinner is available only to low-income residents, but that’s not the case.

“People from all corners of the community come,” Pool said. “Everyone just comes together to give thanks and enjoy the day and the meal. It has been a lot of fun.”

Transportation is available for people who want to join the dinner but need a ride there, Tracy said. To arrange a ride, call First Baptist Church at 754-3639.

Meals also will be delivered to home-bound residents, but organizers would like people to come to the fairgrounds if possible so they can choose their own food and have it served hot. Volunteer drivers don’t have a way to keep meals hot, and Tracy said they can only deliver standard meals, not special orders.

The first community-wide Thanksgiving dinner was hosted by the United Methodist Church in 1999. Approximately 100 people attended the first dinner, and it has continued to grow over the years. Last year, more than 400 people were served.

Continuing cooperation and dedication from local churches and individuals make the community dinner possible. First Baptist Church is overseeing the dinner this year.

The Powell Ministerial Association also will host a community Thanksgiving service on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Faith Community Church pastor Kevin Piscator will bring the message.

If you would like to volunteer to prepare food for the Thanksgiving dinner, serve at the meal or help with cleaning up afterward, call First Baptist Church at 754-3639.

“Walk-in volunteers are welcome, and we will put them where needed if we have a need,” Tracy said. “People are always needed to just come and visit with guests and be neighborly.”

This year’s dinner also will feature a kids activity corner, sponsored by First Baptist and staffed by local high school students.

Pool said it’s a blessing to see so many people willingly step forward to help with the community event, from the initial planning all the way through to the clean-up. He said the team work and spirit that goes into the Community Thanksgiving Dinner shows “what a wonderful community Powell is.”

“Whenever we come together to give thanks, there’s a unifying dynamic to that,” Pool said. “We’re not just marking a holiday; we’re giving thanks to the Lord … we come together and we thank God for his goodness, and it humbles us and draws us together. I think that’s one of the neat outcomes of the community meal.”