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NATCHEZ — A Thanksgiving for the whole community takes place Thursday, Nov. 28, at the Natchez Convention Center from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The best part is the event is free for all, organizer Karla Brown said.

Everyone who comes will find good company and leave with a goodie bag and a full belly.

The beauty of the Natchez Community Thanksgiving is that it’s not made specific for anyone and is open to everyone, regardless of their social or economic status, Brown said.

Someone who just happens to be visiting town and can find a restaurant open on the holiday, for example, may want to stop by for a Thanksgiving lunch. Anyone who is lonely and has no one else to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with may find company at the community Thanksgiving as well.

“It’s open to anybody and everybody,” Brown said.

Attendees are invited to show up to the Natchez Convention Center between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving and enter through the Canal Street doors.

Those who want to support the cause may do so prior to Thanksgiving.

“We’re doing good with food but low on money,” Brown said, adding, “I will also never turn down a volunteer who wants to help out.”

Any donations left over after Thanksgiving will sit in the account until next year, Brown said, adding, “We need $2,800. We’re really close to having everything we need if we can pay our bills.”

Brown, who started the Natchez Community Thanksgiving non-profit four years ago, said every year it has grown bigger in terms of participants and volunteers.

“Last year we cooked for 400 people and had very little leftover at the end,” she said. “It’s always a thrill to have more volunteers and more people willing to get involved.

Anyone who wants to donate food may bring a dessert, she said. There will be plenty for the main course and sides, she said.

“It’s going to be a serious Thanksgiving meal,” she said. “We have turkey, dressing and gravy; sweet potato casserole, green beans, fruit salad, coleslaw, dinner rolls, sweet and unsweet tea and a dessert.”

Volunteers are welcome to come Wednesday morning to help prepare the food or Thursday to serve it, Brown said. “I’ll start early Wednesday morning cooking about 200 pounds of turkey meat.”

For those who can contribute financially, checks can be made payable to Natchez Community Thanksgiving Inc. — or NCT Inc. — and mailed to P.O. Box 2265, Natchez, MS, 39121. Donations are tax-deductible.

To learn more about Natchez Community Thanksgiving Inc., follow their social media page or contact Karla Brown at 907-540-0001.