Topeka Community Thanksgiving Organizers Call for Food and Cash Donations

Topeka organizers seek donations for 59th annual Thanksgiving meal

“Our goal is to get as many people who want somewhere to have dinner come, because it’s always been the mission statement of our organization that no one on Thanksgiving need dine alone,” said Vice President Ross England.

Organizers of the Topeka Community Thanksgiving Dinner are currently soliciting food and monetary donations to prepare for the upcoming holiday meal, KSNT reported.

The event is entering its 59th year of service to the local community. Organizers expect to serve approximately 2,700 meals during the annual tradition.

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The cost of perishable items

While food drives provide many staples, organizers noted a specific need for financial support to cover high-cost items. Beth Kensinger, the president and kitchen coordinator, explained that monetary contributions pay for the meal's most expensive ingredients.

“The monetary donations are incredibly important because they pay for our big-ticket perishable items,” Kensinger said. “They pay for the turkey, they pay for the pumpkin pie and the rolls and things like that that we really can’t get through donation or through direct donations.”

In addition to funds for meat and baked goods, the organization is requesting seven specific nonperishable items to round out the menu:

Boxed mashed potatoes
Stuffing mix
Canned green beans
Canned cranberry sauce
Canned yams
Chicken broth
Evaporated milk

Volunteer needs and meal delivery

The scale of the operation requires hundreds of volunteers to manage the logistics of preparation and service. Volunteers assist throughout the week with tasks including food preparation, setup, and decorating.

Topeka Community Thanksgiving dinner organizers seek donations ahead of holiday

On Thanksgiving Day, additional volunteers are needed to assist with serving guests at the event center and delivering meals throughout the city. The organization typically delivers about 2,000 meals to residents across Topeka.

The Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Stormont Vail Events Center, located at One Expocentre Dr. in Topeka.

Residents can drop off food donations at Topeka fire stations beginning the week before Thanksgiving. Donations may also be brought directly to the Stormont Vail Events Center during Thanksgiving week.

Those interested in making a monetary donation, signing up to volunteer, or requesting a meal delivery can visit the organization’s website or call 785-329-0789.