The 33rd annual Community Thanksgiving Feast at Howard Payne University, a longstanding community tradition, is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at HPU’s Mabee University Center.

The free Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Anyone unable to join friends and neighbors at the Mabee Center can have meals delivered to his or her home by calling the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at (325) 646-9535 by noon on Monday, November 21.

The tradition has been supported throughout the years by numerous individuals and organizations. The staff of HPU’s Sodexo Food Service give up their holiday each year to prepare the feast and volunteers from the campus and the community serve the meal. Last year, more than 1,800 meals were served on campus and through the home-delivery program.

Bill Fishback, HPU’s assistant vice president for business and human resources, said he always enjoys this time of “neighbors caring for neighbors.”

“We are fortunate to have always been able to provide the meals free of charge because of the donations from the caring people and organizations in Brown County,” he said. “Many of the volunteers have helped for years, making serving others part of their annual Thanksgiving tradition,” said Fishback.

Those interested in volunteering may do so by arriving at the Mabee Center, 1219 Fisk Street, at 10:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. There is no need to call ahead.

If you would like to help support the Thanksgiving meal monetarily, please make checks payable to the “Community Thanksgiving Feast,” and send them to Bill Fishback at Howard Payne University, 1000 Fisk Street, Suite 210, Brownwood, TX, 76801.