Yes, Pagosa, there will still be a fantastic, free early Thanksgiving meal this year.
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church will again sponsor a full Thanksgiving dinner, served from the entryway of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall at 445 Lewis St., on Thursday, November 21.
Unlike in previous years when the meal was served at tables beautifully decorated with white table cloths and fall foliage, this year’s meal will only be available through walk-up or via drive-through.
This annual community feast, offered free to the public one week before the actual Thanksgiving Day, will include roasted turkey, savory dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans and pie.
Preparations have been underway since September, and cooking will start on Tuesday, when the turkeys go in the oven.
Courtesy of Counterpoint Church’s spacious kitchen, Wednesday is the big preparation day when St. Patrick’s parishioners will chop onions and celery, assemble the dressing, slice turkeys and prepare the green beans. Volunteers will complete the final preparations early Thursday morning and shuttle the meals downtown for distribution at the Parish Hall.
Serving will begin at 11am, aiming to serve until 1pm or until the food runs out. Due to anticipated high demand, there will be a limit of three dinners per guest, and we recommend folks arrive in the first hour to pick up your meals. All are welcome to partake in this special meal.
“It is a joy to share our Thanksgiving gratitude with our neighbors,” noted St. Patrick’s rector, Wren Blessing. “We all can be grateful for the beauty of this incredible community we call home.”
Opportunities to share in Thanksgiving will continue as St. Patrick’s will hold a Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist, open to the community, on Wednesday, November 27, at 5pm at 225 South Pagosa Blvd.
Happy Thanksgiving, Pagosa!