Community Turkey Dinner Marks 20 Years of Service

Twenty years. Wild, right? What started as a few tables, a couple of roasters, and a whole lot of heart has turned into a hometown staple. In 2025, the Maplewood Community Turkey Dinner hits the big 2-0, and honestly, it feels like the holidays wouldn’t be the same without it. This isn’t just plates and gravy. It’s the story of neighbors showing up for neighbors, every single year. For many folks, this dinner is the glue that keeps the season feeling warm and real.

An Incredible Two-Decade Tradition

It’s official: 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Maplewood Community Turkey Dinner. What began in a church basement with a few helpers has grown into a town-wide operation. Now, hundreds of volunteers serve thousands of meals. Here’s the kicker—this isn’t only about food. It’s about making sure no one spends the holidays lonely, hungry, or left out. People come for dinner, but they leave with something bigger: connection, comfort, and a sense of home.

The whole thing goes back to 2005. Sarah Jenkins noticed that some people—seniors, young families, anyone going through a rough patch—didn’t have a place for a holiday meal. So she called a few friends, bought a dozen turkeys, and hoped for 50 guests. Over 200 showed up. That first night made it clear: the need was real. Since then, the dinner’s grown on donations, grit, and the kind of kindness that shows up with an apron at 6 a.m.

Why This Meal Is a Big Deal

Let’s be real: this isn’t charity theater. It’s community in action. The Community Turkey Dinner cuts through labels and titles. At one table, you might see the mayor next to a single mom, a retired teacher next to a first-year college kid. No VIPs. No awkward hoops to jump through. Just people being people. The holidays can be tough and lonely. This dinner softens that, one shared story and slice of pie at a time.

The ripple effect? Huge. Guests get a hot meal and a warm welcome. Volunteers get to do something that actually matters—and for many families, volunteering here is now their own tradition. Local shops chip in with food, supplies, and funds. That snowballs into trust and goodwill that lasts long after the dishes are done. Twenty years of showing up says a lot about a town. Turns out, small acts done again and again add up to real change.

The Dinner by the Numbers

Want the big picture? The stats tell it straight.

• More than 50,000 turkey dinners served since 2005.
• The crew grew from 12 friends to 300-plus volunteers each year.
• It started with guests from two neighborhoods; now the whole county shows up.
• Local businesses pitch in over $30,000 in food and funds every year.
• During the pandemic, volunteers delivered over 2,000 meals to folks who couldn’t leave home.

Looking Ahead to the Next 20 Years

So what’s next? The team is already planning a blowout for the 20th. Think: a pre-dinner concert, plus a memory wall for photos and stories from past years. The mission stays the same—feed people with dignity and a smile—but they’re also exploring a permanent meal delivery option for anyone who needs it.

Keeping this going takes people power. The committee is working on a plan that lasts—building an endowment, teaming up with community groups, and making sure new volunteers can jump in easily. Want to help? Details are here: Related Source. The next chapter belongs to the next wave of helpers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend the Community Turkey Dinner? Everyone. No sign-ups, no paperwork, no strings. If you want a meal and some company, pull up a chair. How can I volunteer? Sign-ups usually open online about two months before the event. Jobs include cooking, serving, setup, and cleanup. Watch the community website for dates. What’s the best way to donate? Money helps most because organizers can buy exactly what’s needed. They also accept non-perishable food and new winter coats at drop-off spots in the weeks before the dinner.

This dinner started as a small act of kindness and turned into a tradition that feels like home. It reminds us that the best moments happen around a table, with full plates, full hearts, and the people who live right down the street.