(This article was written by Abigail Muniz-Garcia and was featured in the November 2024 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
One hundred pounds of potatoes and thirty-six turkeys… those are just two of the items on the grocery list for this year’s Annual Thanksgiving Meal at First Methodist Church in Harlingen.
The event, which has been happening for 13 years now, averages about 300 attendees and preparations for it start about a month in advance.
“Around October 24, we start planning and getting the volunteers together,” Julie Bland, an office manager at First Methodist said. “We do a sign-up (for volunteers), and it’s usually people from the church.”
However, church-members aren’t the only ones who help. Kelly Roberts, a church member and long-time volunteer of the event said other members from the community help out as well.
“We got people that don’t go to our church (that help). It’s the community that comes out,” Roberts said.
Roberts started volunteering for the event six years ago, after her husband passed away.
“I got real involved,” she said. “It’s extremely rewarding. It’s a lot of work. I can’t say we’ve ever had anyone that was ungrateful. They’re just very, very grateful.”
Attendees can enjoy a full traditional Thanksgiving meal of deep-fried turkey, green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, dinner rolls, gravy, and even a choice of dessert: pumpkin or pecan pie.
Roberts mentions that because they’ve been doing it for years, the practice has honed the art of preparing hundreds of meals.
“We got it down to an art. We get there at 6 a.m. We got our recipes ready and are usually ready by noon to start serving,” Roberts said.
The meal is served at Raimond Christian Center at First Methodist Church of Harlingen, 321 E. Harrison Avenue on Thanksgiving Day. This year, it will be on Thursday, November 28 from noon to 2 pm.
“All are welcome,” Bland said.
For more information, visit firstharlingen.org.