Thousands share Thanksgiving meal in Edmond

“We've had more than enough help,” Laska said. “We are real excited about all the people who show up.”

Hundreds of helpers

He said more than 600 volunteers helped put on the event.

It was the fifth year for the Thanksgiving meal at UCO.

In the past, the meals have been served at area churches.

“After our 25th year, we got to the point we realized we needed a home, some place to call our own,” Laska said.

He said more than 1,000 people took meals home to deliver them to others who could not be in the UCO Nigh University Center.

The event is good for volunteers, too, who want to do something positive in their community, he said.

“The fellowship is not just with those people we serve, but we serve the volunteers,” Laska said. “Because the volunteers have a need to serve, they have a need for fellowship. They have a need for community, and it is as much for the volunteers as it is for the people who come and enjoy their dinner here.”

Volunteers cooked 150 turkeys. About 500 pounds of potatoes, 450 pounds of sweet potatoes, 25 pounds of cornbread, 75 loaves of bread, 80 gallons of broth and 50 gallons of gravy were prepared for the meal.