Central Oregonian

Preparing for a feast

The Crook County Kids Club is hosting a community Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday

JASON CHANEY/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Members of the Crook County Kids Club have spent the past couple months creating artwork that will be displayed at the Thanksgiving community dinner.

Jason Chaney

November 12, 2012

Local residents eager to start their Thanksgiving celebration a little early can get their fix this Thursday evening in Prineville.

Once again, the Crook County Kids Club is hosting its community Thanksgiving dinner at Carey Foster Hall. The organization invites all local residents as a thank you to its supporters and donors and a service to the community in general.

“Everybody that wants to come is more than welcome to,” said Kids Club Director Ashley Thrasher.

The menu this year includes the standard Thanksgiving fare of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries, rolls, pumpkin pie and more. All the food is donated by local grocers. The dinner will be provided free of charge, although the Kids Club asks that visitors bring a canned food donation.

“We will make baskets and provide them to members who are less fortunate,” Thrasher said, “and then we will also take baskets (to people) throughout Crook County.”

Last year, the event drew about 350 people, filling multiple tables at Carey Foster Hall. This year, Thrasher hopes for a comparable turnout, and said that return visitors can expect a similar dining experience to the one they have enjoyed in the past. At the same time, they can anticipate a couple changes, starting with the help in the kitchen.

In the past, volunteers have cooked and served the meals, but this year, Crook County High School’s culinary class, led by Macy Hagansee, will prepare and serve the food.

“They took a field trip there last week just to kind of look around,” Thrasher said. She added that volunteers will continue to serve food as they have with prior dinners.

Kids Club members have spent the past couple months preparing to host the upcoming event – one of their biggest of the year.

“The kids design all of the art that you’ll see on the tables and throughout Carey Foster Hall,” Thrasher said.

They will also make a point of reminding visitors what the Thanksgiving holiday – and their event — is all about.

“We will have some of our leadership kids serving and presenting what they are thankful for when it comes to the club and the community as well,” Thrasher said.

The Crook County Kids Club Community Thanksgiving Dinner will take place on Thursday, Nov. 15, beginning at 6 p.m., at Carey Foster Hall.

Partners for the event include the City of Prineville, Crook County, Ericksons Thriftway, Ray’s Food Place, Price Slasher, Grocery Outlet, and Main Station Express.