THOMASVILLE — Helping hands are needed for the fifth annual free Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner organized by WORD DOERS of Thomasville.

“We still need volunteers,” Tara Wentworth, volunteer coordinator, said. “They must be registered and interested persons should do so by the end of the week. We mainly need drivers, servers and greeters. We already pretty much have our food and kitchen crews.”

Last year’s event fed approximately 1,200 people, organizers said.

“We expect at least that many this year,” Wentworth said.

This year’s event is Thursday, Nov. 26, from noon until 2 p.m. at Thomasville High School auditorium.

The dinner is put on by the local organization, a ministry of non-profit Community Transformations Inc. dedicated to helping others with no strings attached, in order to express the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

“Our only motivation is to let people know they are cared for during what is often a lonely and difficult time for those who are alone, aged or struggling financially ... and as a way to truly express Thanksgiving,” according to an agency event flyer.

Event coordinator Ginny Carvin said between 500 and 600 deliveries were made to shelters and other agencies last year. She expects as many or more this year and said some volunteer slots are still available in that area.

“Some people don’t know their plans yet so we have also have a backup list.”

Carvin said people wanting to help but not in a volunteer capacity may also bring in a canned good or two and stay for dinner.

“We will be collecting canned goods for the local food bank and other help agencies,” she said.

Carvin stressed the dinner is not a serving line affair. It is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

“Participants are greeted at the door, taken to a table and their plates are brought to them,” she said. “We want this to be a family-style event and open to the community. This is about more than food. It is about a connection.”

For information or delivery inquires, contact Ginny Carvin at 672-0335 or visit www.worddoers.org.

To volunteer, contact Tara Wentworth at 226-6515 or e-mail worddoersvolunteers@yahoo.com.