Community invited to Thanksgiving Dinner

Local people are invited to the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Jude Parish Center, across from Pepin Park, at 440 7th Ave. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

The event is free and people don't have to be a member of any church or a Havre resident to attend. Those who come can look forward to a full meal - turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy,

stuffing, relish, wheat or white rolls, and for dessert, pumpkin pie.

The Community Thanksgiving Dinner has been going on for "many, many years," organizer Debi Rhines said.

It was started by a man "who had a heart for the community," she added.

The family prefers he remain anonymous, as does the individual responsible for funding the dinner for recent years.

Why the generous gesture? According to the project mission statement, "The purpose of this project is to provide a free Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings to all who wish to participate: rich, poor, young, old, singles, couples and families. The spirit of the project is to bring our community together as one big, extended family to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday."

If people can't make it to St. Jude Parish Center, home deliveries can be provided to shut-ins.

Although she has been the organizer since 2011, Rhines has done her share of volunteering and recommends it to others.

"It's such an enjoyable experience - all the people coming together," she said. For volunteering information, contact Debi Rhines at 265-2737 or 265-6900. There are also volunteer opportunities for delivery drivers; call Brent or Gus at 265-1610. Volunteer times are as follows: Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

People with musical talents are encouraged to donate their harmonious abilities for the entrainment of the diners.

Leftover food will be donated to Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.

People who are unable to leave their home and join in the community event need to call the Senior Citizen's Center at 265-5464 by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, to receive a meal delivered to their home.