Bruce Olson, with the support of a big group of Powell churches, is hoping to once again stabilize the annual Powell Community Thanksgiving dinner. 

The longtime event nearly didn’t happen last year after the longtime organizers were unable to continue, until Powell resident Larry Akin whipped up the support of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stakes to keep it going. 

Olson, who with his wife, has helped out with the annual dinner for years, was quick to offer his help again last year. When Akin informed him he was hoping somebody else would take up the mantle after last year, Olson determined to be that person. 

“And I said, ‘Well, I'll go ahead and do it,’” Olson recalled. “And my whole thought was that this is just a good ministry to the public. And it's a service to so many people that don't have a place to go.”

The First United Methodist Church started the dinner more than 30 years ago as a way to feed Northwest College athletes and international students who couldn’t go home for the holiday. But it’s morphed into a community-wide event where everyone is welcome to share a meal and fellowship.

Olson quickly realized how many in the community were ready to help. Powell Ministerial Alliance churches were once again ready to assist in putting the dinner together. 

“It’s just amazing how everybody pulls together,” he said, noting that one church is making dozens of pies, another is handling sweet potatoes, another rolls, and so on.

Besides the churches, he’s been overwhelmed by the support he’s received, of how many people who have called to ask how they can help. He’s received support from Frank Roth and Doug Siggins, who had helped organize it in prior years, and many other people.

“It’s very Powell, Wyoming,” Olson said. “The amount of people who have called to say, ‘how can I help, whatever you need.’ It’s just really kind of reassuring to see that in a town, but that’s why we live here.”

It’s a big undertaking to put together. Last year Akin said about 600 people had a Thanksgiving meal. The main event will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day, at Heart Mountain Hall at the Park County Fairgrounds and everyone is invited. 

Olson said they’ll invite all emergency services personnel to join them and will take meals to people who can’t join, whether to dispatchers, people who can’t leave their homes, and to places such as Rocky Mountain Manor. 

Those who do show up to the fairgrounds will have the option of donating funds to ensure the community dinner continues next year. Olson is prepared to organize the event for a couple of years, then he’s hoping someone younger can step in. 

First though, there’s work to do to get this year’s dinner together — he recently purchased 800 paper plates.

To help, call Olson at 307-254-2576.