Giving Thanks Together: Frontline Mission Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner Draws Thousands Together

Some came for a free meal, while others came to escape having to plan and cook a hearty meal themselves. Others came out to honor the message of the day and give thanks with others in the community, and still others came out to not be alone.

Whatever the reasons, thousands came out on Thanksgiving to share in a traditional meal at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla.

“This was just lovely,” said one woman enjoying the meal.

There were also hundreds of volunteers, ranging from elementary school to couples giving back to the community, with all saying that it was a fun time that didn’t feel like work at all.

One such gentleman, Doug Kreiss, said he volunteered as part of a wedding anniversary gift to his wife. “Today is our 22nd anniversary, and she said that all she wanted was to volunteer,” he said. “I’m glad we did.”

He went on to say that the event was very well done, from the delicious food to the Frontline Mission staff and volunteers that were involved in the event. “We’ve had a good time, met some interesting people, talked with others, found personalities that we did and didn’t like, but we spent time with them and that’s what’s important.”

That is very much in the spirit and environment Frontline Mission Executive Director Matthew Sheets had hoped to create, speaking before the event that at any given table, people with different needs—maybe homelessness, maybe substance use recovery, maybe a mom who’s spouse is on the Slope, maybe even a bank manager with nowhere else to go—could be at the same table with different needs. “They’ll sit at the same table, enjoy the same meal, and they’re all together. There’s no judgement. The idea is we all come, we all sit at the same table, and we enjoy the same food, and we laugh at the same jokes, and we build a community together.”

“It is such a great way for people to connect,” said Senator Cathy Tilton, was volunteering at the event, spending time meeting and speaking with dozens of attendees. “”It was just so nice to see so many volunteers, so many people caring about the community.”

Volunteers also spent many hours behind the scenes, creating floral centerpieces for the tables, while local children decorated hundreds of placemats with messages of love, care, and kindness.

In addition to the food, there were plenty of activities for children to work off their food and pie, including a bounce house, face painting, and corn hole, creating a fun atmosphere.

“Today was a great day in the Mat-Su Valley because of the compassionate volunteers who made the day special for so many in our community.” The staff thanked everyone who came and served, and all who came as a guest and chose to spend time with the community.

Up next, the staff at Frontline Mission will begin preparing for their annual “Adopt-A-Box” for the Christmas holiday.

For more information about Frontline Mission, please visit www.frontlinemission.org