On Thursday, November 28, Dickinson State University (DSU) will once again host the annual Dickinson Community Thanksgiving Dinner at The Perch, DSU's dining room. This event, which has grown into a gathering of over 1,000 people, was founded to ensure that no one has to spend Thanksgiving alone.
Each year, the Community Thanksgiving serves not only those who can attend in person but also delivers meals to community members who are homebound or hospitalized. Guests attending in person will enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal in The Perch and nearby areas of the DSU Student Center. Families who have enjoyed the meal in past years often return to volunteer, allowing interested individuals a hands-on opportunity to show thanks by giving the gift of time and service to their community.
“We want to make sure that everyone is taken care of, especially as we enter the holiday season,” said Victoria Burgos, Sodexo Area General Manager.
The success of the Thanksgiving dinner relies heavily on community support and volunteer efforts. “This event is 100% run by volunteers and community donations,” said Jane Johanson, a member of the event's coordinating committee. Sodexo donates time and staff to prepare and serve the meal, while DSU provides the venue.
A key contribution comes from the Dickinson Police Association (DPA), which helps
fund the dinner through proceeds from its annual Daddy Daughter Dance and Heroes Ball
fundraisers. These events allow the DPA to sponsor local youth teams, support police
department families in need, and donate to important community events. This year,
the DPA’s contribution will cover up to 10% of the Thanksgiving meals. “The DPA is
happy to partner in this effort and to volunteer at the event. It’s an opportunity
to give back to the community that we cherish,” said Darnyl Malkowski, Executive Assistant
to the Police Chief and DPA Treasurer.
“We’re honored to open our campus for this year’s community Thanksgiving meal, a tradition that embodies the spirit of togetherness we hold dear at Dickinson State,” said Ty Orton, Acting President of DSU. “The generosity of the Dickinson Police Association and Sodexo’s commitment to providing a warm meal demonstrates the strength of community support. This gathering is a reminder of how special our region is, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
For more information about the event, please visit https://www.visitdickinson.com/events/2024/thanksgiving-dinner.