Locals turn out for PBHS Community Thanksgiving

Jazz music and laughter filled the cafeteria at the Poplar Bluff Senior High School Tuesday evening as a large crowd gathered to enjoy a meal of turkey, dressing and all the trimmings.

“Basically, we’re doing a Thanksgiving dinner for the community (for) people who don’t do Thanksgiving or want to come join us,” explained Samara Ball, Student Council social media director.

Among those attending this year’s Community Thanksgiving was Olivia Parker, 18 months.

As the toddler sat on her mother, Erin’s, lap she fed herself one green bean at a time. Not far away, at a nearby table, Eliza Matlock, 4, played in her mashed potatoes.

“We love this event,” said Eliza’s mother, Shannon Ray. “ … We try to come every year. We appreciate it.”

For Jennifer Larkins and her 6-year-old daughter, Naomi, it was a first.

“I didn’t realize they were doing food tonight,” said Larkins. “I came to watch the jazz band,” which included her son as one of its members.

The crowd also was entertained by the high school jazz band later in the evening.

Eliza Matlock, 4, plays in her mashed potatoes Tuesday during the annual Community Thanksgiving dinner. DAR/Michelle Friedrich

The dinner, Ray said, is a good time to get together and visit with others, and “I do not have to cook dinner.”

The cooking was done by Chartwells, the company that provides dining services to the R-1 schools.

Dixie Harden, Chartwells’ director, said she and her staff prepared food to feed 1,500 people, and all the kitchens had a hand in preparing the meal. An estimated 375 pounds of turkey was cooked and sliced.

“We get together, make a list and separate (the tasks) among the kitchens,” Harden said. “All the potatoes, green beans, rolls and some of the turkey” were made at the high school kitchen.

Each kitchen, she said, prepared five trays of apple crisp for dessert.

“My team, they make it happen,” said Harden, who indicated it was a “good crowd.”

JROTC Cadet Dakota Carbin (right) asks Tracy McCart (left) and Nancy McCart whether they need anything during the Community Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday at the Poplar Bluff Senior High School. DAR/Michelle Friedrich

As the Chartwells staff served the meals, JROTC members were close at hand, including Ray’s son, who was working the event for the first time this year.

“We are basically staffing the entire event,” said cadet Lt. Col. Elizabeth Shirrell. “We’ve got cadets placed all over the building, helping carry food, helping direct traffic and just doing whatever is necessary to make this event a success.”

The Student Council, according to Ball, organized the meal as a way of helping the community out.

Seven-year-old Kamille Carson, (center), her 5-year-old brother, Keaton Carson, and her mother Karmen Carson are served during Tuesday's Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Poplar Bluff High School cafeteria.DAR/Michelle Friedrich

“One of the main things we do is give back to the community, and this is a prime example of that,” explained Ross Dare, Student Council vice president.

For the JROTC cadets, “it’s part of our curriculum to be involved in a service-learning project,” Shirrell explained. “Everything … has been entirely orchestrated by the cadets, all the planning and execution.”

The event, Dare said, also raised money for Haven House.

Dare said the donations will be used to “buy gifts for the children (at Haven House). That’s always a good cause.”

Jennifer Larkins (right) watches as her 6-year-old daughter, Namoi, puts a piece of turkey into her mouth during the Community Thanksgiving dinnerTuesday at the Poplar Bluff Senior High School.DAR/Michelle Friedrich

Someone, Ball added, also donated a bag of clothing to the shelter.

“I’ll be supporting Haven House before we leave,” said Larkins, as she and her daughter enjoyed their meals.