Outreach expects Thanksgiving dinner crowd

Two years ago, about 500 people showed up to enjoy a free Thanksgiving dinner at the City Outreach Ministry on Burt Street. Last year, those numbers doubled.

"We served 1,100," said Pastor Scott Horn. "This year, we're expecting it to double again. It's bad out there."

The ministry will be holding its annual Thanksgiving dinner Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. It's an important meal -- not only can those in need get a good, home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner, they can get food to take home for their own dinner.

They can also get signed up for Christmas.

"If you aren't signed up with someone else, this is the last day we'll be signing up for toys," said Horn.

The ministry holds a toy giveaway shortly before Christmas every year, providing toys, games, clothes and food boxes to families in need. Everything is donated or purchased with donated money, but this year, those donations have been low.

"We're doing pretty good with the food," said Horn, adding that he still needed more turkeys. "But we are hurting for toys. I'm scared some of these kids won't get anything. We need monetary donations so we can go buy some."

Rounding up help has been a little harder for Horn this year. Besides attending to his ministry, he has also had to help his mother, the main Thanksgiving cook. She suffered both a heart attack and a stroke and is even now in the hospital. After visiting with her, he heads out again to get what he can get from area businesses and individuals for the children in need.

"We did pretty good at the chili supper," said Horn. "And Domino's said the pizza promotion did so good they want to do it again."

For more information, call 680-9660.