Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away, and while many cherish the day as their favorite holiday, others do not get to celebrate with their loved ones. Expenses, work schedules, familial relationships, and proximity to loved ones keep many people from experiencing the joy so many feel on Thanksgiving.
One local family is looking to rectify that. On November 24, Thanksgiving Day, Allen and Red Buller with their son RJ are hosting a community feast.
The event will take place from 2-6 p.m. at the Pioneer Center, and all who attend will be served a Thanksgiving meal complete with all the traditional fixings.
“We love cooking Thanksgiving, and I always make way too much,” Red said.
“We always have weeks of leftovers left. So I figured it would be better to cook for a bunch of people.”
“We are very excited, and we’re just trying to help out,” Allen said. The couple came up with the idea last year after noticing the hardships facing many community members. Red said she knows many people struggle to pay for regular groceries, so fitting the bill for a big Thanksgiving meal would be out of the question.
“We never celebrate Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day. It’s always the weekend before or the weekend after. We would rather spend the day helping others than being at home,” Red said.
The two said they are preparing for a large crowd, and no one needs to RSVP ahead of time. “We’re planning for a high amount of people, so we’ll have plenty of food,” Allen said. “Even if people decide that morning to come, they’re welcome.”
To-go meals will also be available for those who would prefer to eat from the comfort of their own home.
Allen and Red also shared that any volunteer efforts from the community would be welcome. People can help serve those who come for lunch, or they could help with the set up or cleanup processes.
If people want to take part in the event but they will not be able to attend the dinner on Thanksgiving, they are welcome to donate food items to be used for the dinner. “Those types of food donations would be perfect,” Allen said.
Allen and Red both said if the event goes well, they want to continue hosting the dinner for years to come for the community.
“If it’s successful we’re going to keep doing it and make it a tradition,” Red said. “I know how it is without your loved ones for the holidays. It’s devastating. It’s like you go into an instant depression. If everyone can show up and have a good time, then it will be a success in our eyes,” Allen said.
For more information or to volunteer, call the WDN office at 580-772-3301 or send a message to Red Campo on Facebook.