File photo by Clay Schuldt A large crowd at the 2017 New Ulm Community Friends Thanksgiving Dinner is pictured. Typically, about 1,000 guests are served a Thanksgiving meal in the St. Mary’s Church lower level. Serving starts at 11 a.m. Thursday.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Community Friends Thanksgiving will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Thanksgiving Thursday, inflation or no inflation.

In a typical year, 1,000 guests are served meals at the Thanksgiving meal. Event co-chair Les Schultz said on average roughly 250 meals are delivered, 250 taken as carryout and 500 people choose to dine in at St. Mary’s Church.

Last year’s community Thanksgiving saw lower numbers, but he anticipates an increase in guests this year.

Approximately 200 volunteers are needed to make the dinner possible. Schultz said they began looking for volunteers after Halloween and have mostly filled all the spots. There are a few kitchens and dish room volunteers needed. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to sign up online at www.signupgenious.com.

The meal will include all the traditional holiday foods; turkey, cranberries, corn, stuffing, potatoes, squash and pies. However, it is still unknown what the cost of the meal will be.

Due to inflation, food items are expected to cost more than in previous years but the final costs are unknown.

Schultz said the cost of turkey has increased over the years. Last year the price was $1.89 per lb.

This year Community Friends will purchase 42 turkeys, every one 28 lbs. The turkey will be bought in bulk from Hyvee, but the final cost will not be known until Sunday when the food is picked up.

The U.S. government has estimated food prices will be up 9.5% to 10.5% this year.

There will be between 350 lbs and 400 lbs of squash, but this is donated by the New Ulm Food Shelf Community Garden.

An equal amount of potatoes will be served. A 5-pound bag of Russet potatoes is currently averaging $3.26, about 45.5% higher than a year ago.

AMPI typically sells the Community Friends butter at a 50% discount. Last year, corn was donated by Turner Hall.

Schultz could not say how much food prices will go up this year but said Community Friends had extra funds available. The Thanksgiving meal is offered free of charge, but free-will donations are accepted. Schultz said there is no recommended donation price.

“We say donate what you can,” he said.

Some years, Community Friends had lost money on the meal, but other years saw generous donations that covered expenses. Currently, the organization is financially healthy.

The Thanksgiving Dinner will start serving 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24 in the St. Mary’s church basement. Everyone is welcome.