Community Thanksgiving of Etowah County

Overview

Community Thanksgiving of Etowah County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing no-cost holiday meals and fellowship to residents of Etowah County, Alabama. The organization aims to ensure that no one spends Thanksgiving alone, particularly focusing on the elderly, homeless, low-income individuals, and families facing financial difficulties.

History and Impact

Established over two decades ago, Community Thanksgiving of Etowah County has been serving meals for 26 years, in partnership with the United Way of Etowah County. In recent years, the event has grown significantly, with a notable increase in the number of meals served. For instance, in 2023, more than 10,500 meals were provided, exceeding initial projections.

Operations and Funding

The organization relies entirely on donations from the community and local businesses to fund its operations. There are no paid staff; all work is done by volunteers. Each year, the organization sets a fundraising goal to cover the costs of food preparation and other expenses. The costs of the event have increased significantly due to rising prices of groceries and other necessities. Despite these challenges, the community consistently supports the organization to meet its goals.

Sponsors and Partners

Community Thanksgiving of Etowah County is sponsored by several local entities, including the United Way of Etowah County, various city councils, and private businesses such as KollerCraft, Family Savings, and Gadsden First UMC. Additionally, they receive in-kind donations from companies like ABS Business Systems, Gadsden State Community College, and Buffalo Rock.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are crucial to the success of Community Thanksgiving of Etowah County. Over 900 volunteers participated in the 2023 event, helping with meal preparation, delivery, and other tasks throughout the week of Thanksgiving. However, the organization continues to seek more volunteers to ensure efficient operation of all shifts, particularly for meal deliveries to the homebound and elderly.

Services Provided

Services include a dine-in option, deliveries to those who cannot attend in person, and to-go orders for those who wish to take meals elsewhere. Meals are served on Thanksgiving Day from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at a designated venue. Deliveries and pick-ups for to-go orders are also available within specified timeframes, requiring advance requests to ensure timely service.