Frontline Mission seeking volunteers for annual Thanksgiving dinner

WASILLA — Frontline Mission is actively seeking volunteers to assist with the annual Thanksgiving dinner event at the Menard Sports Center.

This is one of the largest volunteer opportunities of the year in the Mat-Su Valley. According to Frontline Mission Executive Director Matthew Sheets, they average about 300 community members preparing food, cleaning up, assisting guests, and helping out in many other ways. He said it’s a great way for locals to help their fellow Valley residents during the holiday season.

“This is how the community can get involved,” Sheets said. We’re thankful a lot of community members are helping. Frontline Mission couldn’t do this without the community.”

Frontline Mission staff and volunteers are busily preparing for the upcoming event, stocking plenty of turkeys, side dishes, desserts, and other staples expected at any Thanksgiving table. Sheets said they’re expecting to serve over 2,000 meals this year.

“Things are going really well. We’re just really excited this year to involve more people,”

While a lot of locals that are struggling with homelessness and other financial hardships attend this event, it’s also highly attended by a wide range of people from all walks of life. Sheets said it’s a warm and welcoming atmosphere that provides a pleasant social experience for everyone.

“You don’t have to be economically in a hard time. You can just come,”

“It’s more than a meal. It’s just being able to be together,” Sheets said.

Frontline Mission’s Thanksgiving dinner is free to attend and there will be a variety of giveaways distributed throughout the evening.

“There’s a place for everybody. It’s just about gathering together. Anyone’s welcome,” Sheets said.

The dinner takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

For more information, visit frontlinemission.org/events.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com