More than 300 people came to eat Thanksgiving lunch last year at the Colbert-Benton Guest House.
This year, owner Flo Hix is hoping for 500.
“The idea is about community,” she said. “Especially people who are alone at the holidays. It’s nice to have them have somebody to talk to.”
It will be the Colbert-Benton Guest House’s second year hosting the meal, which is free and open to all. The goal is to bring people together and give back to the community.
“If they ask for 10, we give them 10 plates,” said Betty Boyd, an elder at Deliverance Temple Ministries. “We don’t try to get into their lives or anything. We’re just here to be a blessing.”
Guests have the option to dine in or take food to go. If they dine in, the food is served buffet-style, but volunteers will also wait on people.
“We try to create a little bit of a restaurant atmosphere where they can get their food, and if they need another sweet tea or water or whatever, we’ll get it for them and wait on them to make it feel special,” Hix said.
The Colbert-Benton Guest House was built in 1886 and has a barn in the back for tables and chairs, and a circular driveway to make picking up to-go orders easy. The city of Colbert, where the house is located, is named after its original owner, J. Fletcher Colbert.
Traditional thanksgiving foods are on the menu, including ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, gravy and bread.
“Oh, and we have desserts,” Hix said. “They’re donated and they’re fabulous.”
In fact, all the food is donated. The meats and dressing come from the University of Georgia’s food science program, and sides are donated by local churches, businesses and members of the community.
Boyd, who oversees donations for the lunch, said her involvement in other community outreach events has helped her develop relationships with local churches and businesses. This year, approximately 25 churches and businesses are donating food, she said.
“It gets bigger every year,” Boyd said. “Because we started ahead of time, planning, everybody knows their responsibilities. It’s just flowing properly.”
Volunteer drivers will also deliver plates to police and fire stations, senior communities and people who have a hard time getting out.
None of the leftovers will be wasted. They will be given to churches or other charitable organizations that host Thanksgiving events over the weekend.
Last year, Boyd brought sandwiches made with leftovers to people experiencing homelessness in Athens.
“When you bring a smile (to) somebody’s face, you have done what you’re supposed to do,” Boyd said.
Hix plans to continue hosting lunch annually.
“As long as there’s a need, we plan to continue doing it,” Hix said.