ROGERS — Travis Fielding said he was lonely and hungry Thanksgiving morning but volunteers at a community dinner at Charity Baptist Church in Rogers made his day bright.
The dinner was served and also delivered to those alone on Thanksgiving, said Nicole Chervenyak, an organizer of the event. She said more than 100 meals had been delivered by early afternoon. Nearly 50 had stopped by the church.
Fielding, of Rogers, attended the event with his brother, Ron.
“My brother and I are alone,” Fielding said. “We came because I thought I might meet some nice people and I did. This is wonderful.”
Fielding sat at a table with his brother, volunteers and others attending the meal. An empty plate sat in front of both men as they talked and laughed with the strangers they just met.
Ron said his daughter and grandchildren live out of state so he is unable to spend the holiday with them. He said the volunteers at the dinner made him feel welcomed.
“I think I’m going to come back and help them next time,” Ron said.
Chervenyak said the dinner was the second one she has held with her husband.
“When we first moved here we didn’t have any family,” Chervenyak said. “We want to serve the people who are alone for the holidays and struggling like we were.”
Food, drinks and goody bags handed out during the event were donated by local companies, Chervenyak said. More than 50 people volunteered.
More than 20 turkeys and 10 hams were donated, Michele Lambert a volunteer, said. Lambert, a chef, helped prepare the food.
“We had massive amounts of green beans and stuffing,” Lambert said. Mashed potatoes, fried cauliflower, corn and multiple deserts were also served.
Elmon Ausmus, his wife and two daughters volunteered at the event. He helped diners with drinks, while his daughter filled cups with ice.
“We always wanted to do it,” Ausmus said. “We decided now was the time.”
The family sought out a location to volunteer at, Ausmus said.
“It makes me feel good helping someone else instead of us helping ourselves,” Ausmus said.
Goody bags with food, household goods and hygiene products were also handed out during the event.