Community Thanksgiving draws a crowd

Friday, November 12, 2021

DAR/Samantha Tucker

Chartwells, the food service company that serves the Poplar Bluff R-I school district, held a community Thanksgiving dinner Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Poplar Bluff High School cafeteria. The free dinner included all of the traditional favorites.

The PBHS cafeteria fills up quickly during Community Thanksgiving. Chartwells, the school’s caterer, provided 1,200 meals for the event. Community Thanksgiving provides a free meal and socialization for anyone in need of either, said food services director Dixie Harden.
Chartwells servers dish up to-go boxes during Community Thanksgiving. Food services director Dixie Harden said preparations for the 1,200 meals began a week ago. Chartwells dished up 300 lbs of turkey in total.
Poplar Bluff High School JROTC cadets oversaw the logistics of the dinner by directing traffic, cleaning up and helping attendees carry their food. CSM Marc Roderick said cadets prepared for their duties with three classes on community service and service learning. Roderick defined service learning as engaging with the people one serves and becoming educated about the community as a whole.
A visitor to the PBHS Student Council’s craft table makes a turkey out of coffee filters and clothepins.

The junior and senior high school jazz bands, led by director Stephen Winters, give a concert for diners during the Community Thanksgiving at Poplar Bluff High School on Friday night.
JROTC cadets direct traffic outside Poplar Bluff High School.