For those needing a place to go, two community Thanksgiving Dinners will be served at no charge during the upcoming holiday.

St. Paul’s Methodist Church

For the past nine years, the Gila County Ministerial Association has held its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 141 N. Hill St., in Globe, “for all people in the community, including serving the homebound.”

Dinner will be served the evening before Thanksgiving, from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21.

“The idea was to provide a Thanksgiving meal for all in the community who don‘t have a place to celebrate Thanksgiving and those wanting to share thanks as a community,” said Pastor Bill Norton, with the First Presbyterian Church of Globe.

“This has proved to be an invaluable holiday experience for as many as 200 people, many of whom have told us that they look forward to this event each year,” he told the Silver Belt. “In a world that often tries to divide us, this is one place where people can experience what true community looks like.”

Asked if donations are needed, Norton replied, “I believe the Ministerial Association has the supplies all in hand and, of course, Rebecca Williams, at Dream Manor Inn, always graciously supplies the main course – turkey, yummy stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy,” that she prepares in the inn’s kitchen, then delivers to the dining hall.

Norton said that volunteers, however, “are always welcome.”

“We have the volunteers assemble at 3:45 p.m. at the St Paul’s Methodist Fellowship Hall (entrance on Hill Street) so we can assign jobs, brief them on the flow of the evening, and participate with us in all aspects of ensuring our guests have a great Thanksgiving experience, and then they usually help in the cleanup at the end,” he told the Silver Belt.

Williams oversees the kitchen and the servers, “and those folks begin assembling the meals for the homebound at 4 p.m., so we can have the deliveries begin at 4:15 p.m.”

From past experience the whole process is well-organized and, even though we have different volunteers each year, it all flows smoothly, and everyone has a great time. It is always a very festive atmosphere.”

As for Thanksgiving meals for the homebound, call the River of Life Church at 928-425-2349, giving the names, addresses and the number of people who will need the Thanksgiving meal delivered.

If the church secretary is not there, leave a message with a callback number and someone will call back.

Those with questions about the event, or wish to volunteer, may call the same number.

Copper Hen Restaurant

All are invited to The Copper Hen Restaurant’s third annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. It is a free meal for anyone who wishes to attend.

Thanksgiving Dinner will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22, at The Copper Hen, 157 W. Cedar St., Globe.

Mike Stapleton, owner of The Copper Hen, said that the meal is not just for the homeless, but for anyone who does not have a place to go on Thanksgiving.

“We had 175 people last year,” he told the Silver Belt.

Asked if donations and/or volunteers were needed, Stapleton replied that while it was not necessary, those who wished to help could contact the restaurant.

St. Paul’s annual bazaar, craft and bake sale

Annual bazaar craft and bake sale at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, located at 750 W. Paxton, in Country Club Manor.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (across from Sonic) will hold their annual holiday bazaar on Friday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be many holiday items as well as handcrafted home and gift items. There will also be a chance to win a free quilt.

As this is being held the week before Thanksgiving, there will be baked goods available for holiday dinner.