There’s going to be a big Thanksgiving feast Thursday at First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, and you’re invited. You are especially invited if you are elderly, living alone, a student, have no family, etc. Whatever the circumstances, the invitation is open. The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will consist of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey and dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes, rolls, and of course, gravy and cranberry sauce, and a dessert. It’s all homemade and provided by the First Baptist Church family.

If you are homebound and unable to make it to church to eat, the meal will be delivered. Simply call the church office at 543-1931. However, the church family asks you to call the office by Tuesday if possible.

Lisa Bunn, who is once again heading up the dinner, said preparation for the meal has been ongoing for several weeks. “We at First Baptist believe Thanksgiving is a time to not only give thanks for our blessings, but to share them as well.”

The meal, although free, is not a charity event emphasized Bunn. “It is for anyone and everyone. We don’t want anyone to go without a meal that day. We will be delivering meals to many first responders who have to work — firemen, policemen, 9-1-1 workers, pharmacy workers, etc.”

Bunn said the turkeys are cooked by Food City. The rest of the meal is prepared and assembled at the church, except for the desserts, which are made by the ladies of the church at home.

“We will start Wednesday afternoon and work until the last meal is served, and the kitchen is cleaned. We work in shifts. Our people will begin assembling Wednesday afternoon to pull the meat off the bones. We will be making cornbread for the dressing, cutting and dicing. We will make pans and pans of dressing, a ton of sweet potatoes, and lots and lots of rolls,” said Bunn.

“We will probably have 75 to 100 people helping at any one time,” she added.

Items such as the green beans, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes are ordered in bulk by Ted and Betty Tipton at the Captain’s Table and are stored there until Wednesday, when a final grocery run will be made.

This is the eighth year for the event. Nathan Goodwin, who at the time was a deacon at the church, had a vision for the dinner and headed it up the first three years. Since then, Bunn has been overseeing the event.

“We have so many volunteers who work to make this dinner possible, our children, youth, Sunday School classes and teachers, and the church leadership. We have people who do not even attend First Baptist who come every year to volunteer, among them, Roger Franklin, our main cook. He and Matt Hardin are our cooks,” said Bunn.

In addition to the meal, this year there will be a coat closet with coats, hats, scarves and mittens for both men and women and children of all ages. “Some of the children have made blessing bags which will be available for those who need them,” said Bunn.

Last year over 1,400 meals were served. “We did have several people who came in and ate, and that was great,” said Bunn. “Some of the people who eat with us are elderly and alone and enjoy the fellowship. Some are in need. Some are working and unable to be with family and friends for Thanksgiving. We have to remember that needs are no respecter of persons. They come in all ages. This meal has been a blessing to so many, but mostly to us at First Baptist, who get to participate in preparing it. We have been blessed by it. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a wonderful time of fellowship,” Bunn said.

Again, the invitation awaits you for dinner Thursday at First Baptist Church. Simply call 543-1931.