HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – After being canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the free annual Havre Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be back this year.
Organizer Debi Rhines says that due to the continued high rate of COVID cases in the area, meals will be served to-go and delivery only.
“So we’re hoping we can do this as safe as possible and get the meals out to the people that are missing the meal or need that meal. So we’re hoping that we’re serving that goodness that came out of the mission of this Thanksgiving meal.”
To-go service will be from 11 AM-1 PM at the St. Jude Parish Center.
“People can come through the front door. They can grab a hot meal. And we are going to encourage them to go out the back door so we have as little community closeness as possible. We’re hoping this works. If we have inclement weather, we’ll figure out how to get everybody inside so people will at least be protected from the weather.”
Those who would like a meal delivered are asked to call the Senior Center at 406-265-5464 to reserve a meal for their home. Those that request a delivery are urged to be home between 9:30-11 AM on Thanksgiving.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Rhines by text or call at 406-945-2833. Anyone interested in helping with deliveries can contact Gus Sharp at 406-265-1610.
“Just let me know that yes, I’m coming, and I’m coming on Wednesday at this time or Thursday at this time. And I’ll record it in a notebook. I typically don’t call people back and say it’s confirmed. I just count on that you’ll be there and show up…Just be rest assured that I hear you and I’m happy you’re willing to volunteer. I don’t try to turn volunteers away. If we do get too many volunteers, we’ll try and find a job for you.”
Rhines says they are planning to prepare 1,000 meals. Meals include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, a relish bag, pumpkin pie and a roll.
The annual event is funded by ‘The Anonymous Donor,’ and provides hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to local residents, including many that are delivered to the homebound.
