Last Thursday marked the 20th year for a Thanksgiving meal to be hosted for the Ellis County community. However, this will be the 10th year that the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance hosted it. People from churches all over Hays, Ellis, Victoria, Russell and the surrounding area come to volunteer at this event.

The night before, groceries that had been collected at Dillon’s were separated into bags and the next day were free for anyone that attended the event to take if they needed them. Meal and grocery deliveries were also made that day.

Pastor Celeste Lasich at First Presbyterian Church said this was her first year being in charge, although, she has volunteered the past four years.

“Right after the Thanksgiving meal is over, the next one is already being planned,” Lasich said. “Each year, we learn better ways of managing the event and try to see what we can improve on for the next one.”

This year, the volunteer staff was very abundant, Lasich said. Colored armbands were used to separate helpers into certain teams that each had a certain task.

Freshman Sierra Smith volunteered for her first time this year along with her family.

“I really enjoy it so far,” said Smith. “I’m just doing it to give back to the community.”

This event is open to anyone in the community to come enjoy the food or find a spot to help.

“There’s always very interesting people,” another young volunteer, Morgan Markus said. “They have cool stories to tell.”

It was held from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 23, at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall. There was no cost to participate in the feast, but free-will donations were accepted. The proceeds will go towards the Ministerial Alliance’s 2nd Mile Fund.

“This happens because of all of the great volunteers,” said Lasich. “We couldn’t do it without them or the Rose Garden staff.”

18hdonaldson@usd489.com