Church serves up pounds of Thanksgiving deliciousness to over 200 community members

CEDAR RAPIDS - Volunteers at First Church of the Open Bible on Thanksgiving served up nine 20-pound turkeys, 80 pounds of mashed potatoes, about 25 pounds of stuffing, a variety of sides, and of course, pumpkin pie, to more 200 hungry souls - 'the biggest ever.”

Kay Friis, who works outreach ministry for the church, said all the tables were packed throughout the two-hour event Thursday that started about 10 years ago. The event has grown every year, she said.

'A lot of people don't have family, and this is a way they can come together with others and enjoy a great meal,” Friis said. 'It's not just church members who come. People from all over the community come and eat and even volunteer.

'It started out with church members volunteering, but others learned about the dinner and starting calling us, asking to volunteer.”

Her husband, Sonny Friis, worship pastor, said it was the biggest crowd they've had. There were lines out the door at one point.

The church has vans that go out in the community to bring in elderly people from their homes and homeless people for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Friis said many of the volunteers get their whole family involved, as a way to give back to the community.

The Gentz family has done that for the last five years. Sophia Gentz, 11, and Samuel Gentz, 13, joined their parents again this year on the serving line.

'I was serving vegetables,” Sophia said. 'It was fun.”

'I had rolls and cranberries,” Samuel said.

Mikaila Pineda, 12, served nearby the Gentzes. 'It was really fun watching people come in,” she said. 'It's my first year. My family's having our dinner on Sunday.”

Friis said the cooking is done by church members in their homes. Some of the side dishes, which also are provided by community members, are put together in the church kitchen.