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Dinner tradition continues
By Bill Hankins
The Paris News
Published November 24, 2009
COOPER — First United Methodist Church in Cooper will continue its tradition of serving free Thanksgiving Dinner to all it can reach on Thanksgiving Day.
The meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
Dozens of passers-by, homeless people on the road, inmates at the Delta County Jail, travelers who find themselves on the road on Thanksgiving day, and many who have no families to spend Thanksgiving with will be served by the church.
Workers will even make trips to nearby parks to see if they can find anyone who might like a free meal and a way to celebrate Thanksgiving in the way it was meant to be celebrated.
This year will mark the 18th consecutive year the church has served Thanksgiving dinner.
“It takes approximately 100 volunteers, about 25 turkeys and lots of pies and casseroles to feed all who eat,” said Delta County resident Morris Partain.
Volunteers cook the turkeys and make the side dishes at home before bringing the food to the church, where other volunteers prepare the meals and still other volunteers serve the food and deliver it to the jail and to those who are homebound.
Menu for the day will be turkey and dressing with all the trimmings, including sliced turkey breast, cornbread dressing and giblet gravy.
Various casseroles, salads, a dinner roll and a dessert prepared by the women of the church will be offered.
Meals will be delivered to those who cannot come to the church.
Transportation to the church is available by calling the same numbers.
Dozens of Cooper area residents will be involved in the preparation of the turkeys, breads, desserts and the preparation of vegetables for almost 300 people.
Others will come from near and far to help serve the meal or deliver it to the homes of those who cannot come to the church.
“Our goal is to share and be thankful,” Partain said.
It was Partain and Zelda Fisher who brought up the idea of the Thanksgiving dinner at the church 17 years ago.
It has been a tradition since.
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