The Powell community is again being invited to share a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, anyone is welcome to enjoy a meal and fellowship at the Park County Fairgrounds’ Heart Mountain Hall.

Organizers are planning to host hundreds of community members. They’ve secured the donation of over two dozen turkeys, 600 rolls, 230 pounds of potatoes, 20 gallons of green beans, plus sweet potatoes, cranberries, salads, relish trays and, of course, a variety of pies.

“We try to do it like a family would do it at home, only bigger,” said organizer Bruce Olson, who’s heading up the long-running event for the second straight year.

True to its name, the meal takes a community-wide effort. 

Numerous churches are helping supply the food — including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Grace Point, Hope Lutheran Church, New Life Church, St. Barbara’s Catholic Church and United Church of Powell. A local couple donated some 30 pounds of butter, Olson said, and a man in Cody continues to donate 24 turkeys each year (a small brigade of volunteers then cook up the birds).

Businesses also donate items and time. For example, staff from Powell’s John Deere dealership, C&B Operations, power wash all the tables and set them up ahead of the dinner. Other businesses around town similarly lend a hand behind the scenes, along with numerous individuals and families who help with everything from cooking to serving.

“People are just so willing to help,” Olson said.

Earlier this week, he found himself short some turkeys, but not long after he said a prayer, multiple donors had stepped up.

“God puts all these pieces together. And I wholeheartedly believe that,” Olson said. “I mean, the good Lord watches over this whole thing.”

Powell’s Methodist church — which is now a part of United Church of Powell — began the dinner over three decades ago as a ministry to Northwest College students who were away from their families. However, it later grew into a community-wide event, open to anyone and everyone.

Local churches organized the dinner for decades, then Larry and Maurine Akin stepped up and took on the task of coordinating the 2023 dinner. Olson shadowed the Akins that year and took over as the organizer in 2024. He’s hoping to find his own shadow for next year’s dinner, who could eventually take over the job.

About 500 people were served last year and, given the current economy, Olson is expecting more like 600 attendees next week.

“We’ve increased everything this year,” Olson said.

Volunteers are available to deliver meals to those who are unable to travel to the fairgrounds. Those deliveries can be arranged by calling Olson at 307-254-2576. People interested in volunteering should also give him a call.

Donations are accepted at the door, but thanks to all the donated food and time, the dinner only incurs about $400 worth of costs, Olson said. The rest of the donations are forwarded to a cause, he said, with about $3,000 passed on to Serenity Pregnancy Resource Center last year.

As for those looking to gather for a meal in Cody, Cody Regional Health is hosting its seventh annual community Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the hospital’s Buffalo Bistro. Donations at that event will help cover the cost of next year’s free dinner.