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First Baptist Church Elizabethton will once again host its annual Feast of Sharing, a free Thanksgiving meal offered to the community on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23.

This year, the popular event will serve the meal at the church’s Fellowship Hall as well as providing deliveries to those who request meals. The meal will be served on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The church is located at 212 East F Street in Elizabethton.

“First Baptist Elizabethton started the Feast of Sharing 13 years ago out of concern for people who may not have food for Thanksgiving or may not have people to spend the holiday with,” said FBC Pastor Todd Hallman. “That includes many people from many walks of life, from first responders who are having to work, volunteers who are serving at hospitals or others who can’t enjoy a Thanksgiving with family or friends.

“The Feast of Sharing is open to everyone and anyone who wants to participate in the fellowship that we offer, who have food needs, or who are just lonely and want to spend time with others. Even though there are fast food places open on Thanksgiving, we are trying to offer a home cooked meal for people who probably won’t be able to get one on that day.”

As it has done for so many years in the past, First Baptist Elizabethton’s Feast of Sharing will provide hundreds of full Thanksgiving meals with turkey and dressing and sides. A coat closet will also be open at the church during the meal, offering warm winter coats.

The Feast of Sharing is truly a labor of love for the dozens of volunteers who come to prepare the meal, work in the coat closet and get the Fellowship Hall ready for the meal. Planning starts weeks in advance with both adults and children getting involved. While most of the volunteers are part of the First Baptist Elizabethton family, many others in the community have also volunteered to be part of this wonderful gift to the community.

“First Baptist Elizabethton is excited to do this because it is another way we can serve our community,” Hallman said. “It is another way we can tangibly express the joy of Christ and let people know there is no need to live in a hopeless or helpless situation.”

If you or someone you know would like a meal, please call the church at 423-543-1931 to make reservations for either dine-in or delivery by Tuesday at noon, Nov. 22.