By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The third annual Cabot Community Thanksgiving Feast is being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22 at Cabot United Methodist Church, 2003 South Pine St.
Heather and Dane Moore and members of Grace Family Church are organizing the free dinner for anyone, regardless of income, who would not be able to have a Thanksgiving meal or would be spending the holiday alone without a place to go. Meals will be available for dine-in, carry out and delivery service for those who are unable to get out.
“We want everybody to be fed and not alone during the holidays,” Dane Moore said.
He said people have started calling about the event.
After talking and praying the Moores expect 600 people to attend the feast. Heather Moore said an anonymous donor gave plates, cups and plastic utensils for 600 people.
Dane Moore said more people are expected because of the economy and more people knowing about the Thanksgiving event.
Last year, 463 people were served and 312 were served in 2010, the first year the meal was held.
The Cabot Community Thanksgiving Feast is held at “a different church each year to show it’s not a church, but a community event bringing the body of Christ together,” Dane Moore said.
“Every year we get a different crew of volunteers,” Heather Moore said.
“Because we change churches and the host church takes ownership of the event,” Dane Moore said.
Volunteers wanting to be a part of the Cabot Community Thanksgiving Feast can cook for their family and a little extra for the community meal.
“Just prepare a dish and drop it off. They don’t have to stay. It would be greatly appreciated,” Heather Moore said.
“We have a website (www.cabotfeast.com) so people can sign up to volunteer,” Heather Moore said.
The website has a donation list, volunteer duties and donation tab to give through PayPal.
Nonperishable items need to be received by Thursday to be given to volunteers to prepare.
Organizers still need uncooked turkeys and hams. Donations are need by Monday, Nov. 19. Turkeys and hams can be donated to the Cabot Community Thanksgiving by calling Heather Moore to arrange a pickup.
Lonoke Exceptional School adult students are decorating the church’s dining room for the feast.
Organizers are looking for a pianist or other musicians to play instrumental music during the event.
The idea of the Cabot Community Thanksgiving Feast came to the Moores four years ago.
“Heather and I went to Lonoke to volunteer. Heather looked for a place to volunteer in Cabot. We ended up in Lonoke volunteering together as a family.
“When we left, we looked at each other and said, ‘we need this in Cabot.’ We prayed about it and the doors started opening,” Dane Moore said.
“Thanks to all the volunteers and the businesses that have donated,” Heather Moore said.
Helping support the event are Lonoke Exceptional School adult center, First Security Bank, Kroger, Kmart, Cabot United Methodist Church, Grace Fellowship Church, Dixie Café and the Cabot Rotary Club.
Monetary donations can also be made at www.cabotfeast.com. Checks made out to Grace Family Church (CCTF) may also be mailed to Grace Family Church at 108 S. Fourth St., Cabot, Ark. 72023.
For more information, call Heather Moore at 501-259-3799.
