It’s that time of year again and for several months the volunteers with the “No Kid Hungry Project” have been planning and preparing for its annual Thanksgiving Day meal.

Last year, more than 1,600 meals were served on Thanksgiving Day and this year the group is expecting to serve more to those in need.

Melissa Tallent, Coordinator of No Kid Hungry, told the NEWS the Thanksgiving project gets better and better every year and this year the “No Kid Hungry Project” is teaming up with the Hark Foundation, which Tallent’s daughter Kiley Hoppe is a part of.

“We served around 1,600 last year. I’m not sure if we will serve more, but we will be prepared to do so if the need is there,” Tallent said.

Tallent has acted as sponsor for No Kid Hungry project for the past four years.

Not only are students working in the kitchen preparing the meals, everyone who volunteers has different jobs.

While others served or worked the dessert lines, some delivered meals to those who couldn’t make it to the high school on Thanksgiving Day.

“Volunteers are needed for Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for evening prep,” Tallent said.

Volunteers will also be needed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23 and on Thursday, November 24 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for delivery, cooking, serving, making desserts and taking up donations.

During the morning hours, lists of names and addresses are provided to those volunteers who choose to deliver meals to homes. Those meals are assembled first and shipped out to be delivered. By 10 a.m. most of the delivery meals have left the school and volunteers are scrambling to serve those who come into the high school cafeteria to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal.

While some of the student volunteers work on the road, others help in other areas and those jobs are just as rewarding.

By feeding more than 1,600 people last year, there has to be a substantial number of volunteers willing to help get everything together.

All volunteers have gained a sense of pride in doing their part for their community. Being able to be there for a complete stranger has impacted their lives as well as those who received the meals.

Tallent has said there are more and more students who come back after graduating in order to help with the project.

Tallent also said her crew will start making deliveries around 10 to 10:30 and will start serving in the cafeteria around 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

This year’s menu will be the same as last year including turkey, homemade cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and a dessert.

If anyone would like to donate funds or time to this year’s Thanksgiving Dinner, contact Melissa Tallent at 606-688-1884.