Brownwood-area residents and visitors can gather for a free Thanksgiving meal Nov. 26 as the annual Community Thanksgiving Feast returns to Howard Payne University’s Mabee University Center.
The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, at the center, located at 1219 Fisk Street in Brownwood. The event is led and coordinated by North Lake Community Church in partnership with Howard Payne University. Donations will be accepted, but no payment is required to attend.
Meals available at the university and by delivery
The traditional Thanksgiving menu will include turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Residents who cannot attend in person may request delivery in Brownwood and Early, although deliveries are limited to a maximum of 10 meals per household.
Delivery reservations open by text on Monday, Nov. 9, and must be made by noon Monday, Nov. 23. Requests should be sent to Steve, the delivery coordinator, at 325-200-3445 and include the recipient’s full name, complete address and number of meals requested. A confirmation text will be sent after the reservation is made.
Dessert will not be included with delivered meals.
Volunteers, donations and event background
Volunteers are needed to serve food and beverages, box meals for takeaway, deliver meals to homes and clean the Mabee Center after the feast. Volunteers should arrive at 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
People who want more information about volunteering can call or text North Lake Community Church Pastor Ron Keener at 325-642-9748.
The organizers said the previous event served more than 2,500 meals with help from 143 community volunteers. Keener credited the ongoing partnership between Howard Payne and North Lake Community Church and said financial support from the community makes the meal possible.
Checks supporting the feast should be payable to “Community Thanksgiving Feast” and mailed to Katrina Lynn, Howard Payne University, 1000 Fisk Street, Suite 210, Brownwood, Texas 76801. Donations may also be brought to the Mabee Center on Thanksgiving Day.
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood. The university says it offers more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools and three locations.