Free Thanksgiving Day dinner at nutrition center

The California Ministerial Alliance's annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner is Nov. 22 at the California Nutrition Center.

All the basics, including turkey, ham, corn, green beans, dressing and desserts will be served for free to anyone who attends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Head cook Teresa Liebi said she's been preparing the Thanksgiving meal for nine years.

"I enjoy cooking; I enjoy seeing people fellowship over the food and have a good time," Liebi said. "God gave me the ability to do it, so I'm gonna do it."

She said she expects to serve about 120 meals.

"The folks at the nutrition center always do an excellent job," Pastor Frank Hensley said.

Ministers donate the food and other items needed for the meal. Free-will donations are welcome and will go to the alliance.

"Some of the people who come for the meal, they like to leave money for the alliance; and so there's always a few hundred dollars there, which helps with our emergency fund," Hensley said.

The emergency fund helps people in need in the community or strangers passing through who need help.

Volunteers are needed Nov. 22 to help deliver and serve.

"If there are home-bound or elderly people, we do have volunteers who will deliver the meals to them," Liebi said.

For deliveries, contact the California Nutrition Center at 573-796-4240.