With Thanksgiving around the corner, local churches are preparing for this year’s community Thanksgiving dinner.

“We want to make sure no one eats alone on Thanksgiving,” said Amy Jo Hawley, pastor of Ellsworth’s Presbyterian Church said.

This is the fourth year the Ministerial Alliance has coordinated the event since Edie Pennington’s first Thanksgiving feast in 2005. Volunteers from local churches help prepare and serve a meal of ham, turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls. Side dishes from participants are welcome but not required.

This years community dinner will be Thursday, Nov. 28, at the Ellsworth Senior Center.

Dine-in and carry out are available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will deliver meals from 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Reservations can be made by calling the Presbyterian Church office at (785) 472-5557 by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25.

Money raised from the free will donation dinner will go towards the Ministerial Alliance Benevolence Fund. The fund is used to help Ellsworth County residents in need with utility bills, housing, and medical expenses.

“It is that time of year where we count our blessings,” Pastor Hawley said.

Tacie Fluke, who cooks at the senior center, is helping coordinate the cooking for the Thanksgiving dinner.

“We are so excited and happy Tacie is helping us,” Pastor Hawley said.