GOSHEN COUNTY – Not sure about your Thanksgiving plans this year? There’s a seat waiting for you at the table, complete with smiling faces, a home-cooked meal and friendly conversation.

The local couple sponsoring the free Thanksgiving event asked to leave their names out of the paper, in order to draw the focus from themselves to the meal.

“We recently moved to a smaller home, and we have lots of family – around 25 people – come over for the holidays. I wanted to make sure we had enough room,” the female resident explained. “I asked (my husband), ‘What do you think about renting a place and opening it up to anyone who wants to come?’ He said, ‘I’ve always wanted to do that.’”

During her long tenure as a restaurant manager, the woman said she’s witnessed many individuals and families who simply do not have a place to go for the holidays.

“I have worked many Thanksgivings and Christmases. I’ve seen couples come in that just don’t have anybody,” she said. “One year, a blizzard hit and the roads were shut down, and we had families come in who had not bought anything because they were supposed to travel for the holiday.

“If you want to give mom a break, or say (your family is) all working – if this helps out, come on down.”

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lingle Legion Hall on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. The couple is extending an invitation to singles, couples and families of all ages to “come as you are” and enjoy the free meal together.

“We want everyone to be comfortable,” she said.

The couple has posted a flyer on social media to invite community members to attend, which prompted donations from other Goshen County residents, as well as those living in Nebraska. No businesses were asked to assist with the event.

“We were just trying to make it as simple as possible,” she said. “People in the community can have a part in helping others during the holidays (if they wish).” 

She added no cash donations will be accepted, only supplies, and she’s limited the amount each person donates to two items – such as two packages of butter or bags of potatoes.

“Some very good cooks are making and donating homemade rolls, homemade pies … we’re going to try to make everything as homemade as possible,” she said. “It’ll be pretty much an effort of several people.”

The day before the event, the woman and her family plan to cut the potatoes, make fruit salads and prep the turkey, which she expects to pop in the oven Thanksgiving morning.

The meal will consist of ham, turkey, turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, fruit salads, dinner rolls, pie and desserts, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and stuffing, various appetizers, coffee, lemonade and water.

The couple also plans to offer playing cards and coloring books for children.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 21, but walk-ins are welcome.

“We’re going to make a lot, and any leftovers will be donated to elderly members of the community and others who can’t make it out,” she said.

To donate items or RSVP, text or call (307) 575-0719 or (307) 575-9177.

“All we ask is for those coming to pay it forward in the community with kindness and (by) helping others,” she said. “We are hoping this will become a yearly tradition in the community.”