Sunday, the volunteers purchased 42 turkeys, weighing 28 lbs. each. Volunteer Les Schultz said the turkeys cost $2.29 per pound.

Schultz said volunteers began carving up some of the turkey Tuesday night in preparation for Thursdays meal. The squash is also prepared two days in advanced. All the squash was provided free from the Sentence to Service Garden.

Wednesday, volunteers will continue carving turkeys throughout the day. The only foods prepared on Thursday are the potatoes, gravy and whipped cream.

Each guest for the Community Thanksgiving will have a unique place mat drawn by the students at Jefferson Elementary.

Individual place mats for the Community Friends Thanksgiving Dinner were created by students at Jefferson Elementary School.

The Community Thanksgiving is held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24 at St. Mary’s Church on 417 S. Minnesota Street.