Netherlands-For decades, Holland Rescue Mission has provided traditional Thanksgiving dinners for those who are unable to cook their own meals. Dinner can also be used as a community gathering, serving those who would otherwise spend Thanksgiving alone or those who want to connect with their neighbors.

Although last year's Thanksgiving dinner was cancelled due to party restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual dinner returned this month the day before Thanksgiving.

Rescue Mission is preparing to serve more than 1,000 people at this year’s dinner, which will be held at the DeVos Fieldhouse of Hope College.

Doors open at 5:30 pm, and dinner will begin at 6 pm on November 24 (Wednesday) at the Fieldhouse at 222 Fairbanks Avenue in the Netherlands. According to the mask policy of Hope Academy, masks are required to be worn at the dinner party.

The organization opened up an invitation for a Thanksgiving feast to everyone in the community. There is no cost to join the rescue team, and no registration is required.

The mission will be renamed Gateway Mission in 2022, and about 500 nursing boxes packed by local churches will be distributed to guests at the dinner, which contains household and hygiene products.

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Volunteer Coordinator Katie Taylor is organizing hundreds of volunteers who will help the mission prepare, cook and provide food-including cooking more than 100 turkeys-to build and dismantle dining spaces for 1,500 people, donate food, Greet the people and take care of the table at the dinner.

"Whether it's hosting a table, baking a pie or delivering a turkey, we believe that our community members will respond to our outstanding needs," said Katie Taylor, the volunteer coordinator.

As of Thursday, the mission still needs table owners, including bilingual people who can host Spanish-speaking guests, and people who promise to provide pies and turkey.

Volunteers can register as a table host on hollandrescue.org/gtb2021, donate pie or turkey or fill in as a spare volunteer as needed.

Fresh or frozen turkeys should be delivered to Holland Rescue Mission Men's Ministry Centre at 166 S. River Ave. by Monday, November 15.

Desserts must be dropped off at DeVos Fieldhouse at 222 Fairbanks Avenue on the morning of Wednesday, November 24th.