First Presbyterian provides free Thanksgiving meal
On Thanksgiving morning when most of us are snug in our beds – maybe dreaming of turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie – Jim McInnes will arrive at Franklin First Presbyterian Church around 3 a.m. to begin preparations for the day ahead.
More than 30 years ago, the church began offering a free Thanksgiving meal for the community.
McInnes said even before that it started when some church members didn’t have family to spend the holiday with. Over time they decided to open their doors to the community.
“That’s how it all started and it grew from there,” McInnes said. Last year they served about 649 meals.
When the COVID pandemic hit, the church transitioned to a drive-thru meal where folks could pick up a boxed lunch. While people and the church were grateful for the opportunity to serve, it just wasn’t the same.
After getting a lot of requests from the community, the church is returning to offering a sit-down meal in Tartan Hall at the church. “They want the fellowship,” McInnes said.
Last week volunteers were busy doing the prep work. They planned to cook 30 turkeys. Big pans of dressing were simmering on the stove.
The Thanksgiving meal is free, but donations are welcome to assist with next year’s meal. “We are working a year ahead,” McInnes said. “Any money collected this year goes to next year.”
First Presbyterian Church members, along with others from the community, volunteer to serve food and box up lunches for those getting take-out. Patsy Clinton, who has been volunteering since the 1990s, said there are usually 40-60 volunteers on duty on Thanksgiving Day.
The menu will include the traditional turkey, dressing and gravy, sweet potato souffle, green beans, rolls and pumpkin crunch for dessert. A serving line will be set up in Tartan Hall for those dining in and a second line will be in the hallway for take-out.
“We are blessed to be able to work with people who have the capability of helping us,” McInnes said in appreciation of those who assist with supplying the food.
Dine-in meals will be served from noon to 2 p.m.; reservations are not required. Take-out will be available from 12-1:30 p.m. Parking is available behind the church and across the street behind the courthouse. Look for the signs.
McInnes said that although they don’t officially begin serving until noon, that by that time last year they were already replenishing the serving trays. “We served more than 100 before 12 o’clock,” he said.
By the time lunch time rolls around, McInnes will have already been up for about nine hours. While some of us may stress over fixing a big Thanksgiving meal for just our families, McInnes is a pro. Volunteer David Dozier said McInnes once ran three cafeterias serving as many as 6,000 meals a day.
While putting on the Thanksgiving lunch takes a lot of volunteers, Dozier and Clinton both give credit to McInnes for keeping it going. “He’s the star of the show,” Clinton said. And it is a show he is thankful to offer for his church and community.