After not having the event last year due to Covid concerns, the 37th Community Thanksgiving Feast roared back to life in a big way on Thursday in Brown County.

The traditional meal of turkey, dressing and all the trimmings was served in the Mabee Center on the campus of  Howard Payne University.

“A big thanks to Howard Payne and what they have done to help make this happen.  The turnout has been tremendous of home deliveries and then take out has been enormous and then the dine-in has been overwhelming,” said Ron Keener, pastor of North Lake Community Church.  The church stepped up this year to organize volunteers and delivery volunteers to make sure the traditional feast could continue.

“We are so blessed, North Lake Community Church and Howard Payne, to have been involved with this in partnership this year and to see the success of it again because when you don’t have something for a year, to pick it back up, you wonder how that’s going to look,” Keener said.

Meals were served from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.   There was a steady line of volunteers taking prepared meals to those homebound, unable to attend in person.

“The response of the community, after the Covid challenges, has been absolutely fabulous to see people from all walks of life,” Keener added.

Helping organize the volunteers for North Lake Community Church were Janet and Steve Nash.

“I think the best part about today was just being around the people.  We are so thankful, just for all the volunteers that came out.  Some people delivered not just one batch but they came back again and again,” Janet said.  “It was great fun to be out in the dining room just to be able to visit with people.  My heart is just full of gratitude today.”