Small Town Girl, Big Community Thanksgiving

The bar had closed for the night and the employees are finally sitting down for a break. The ideas that come after the bar closes aren’t the ones we expect to be great. But Sonja had a great idea. And it would turn into a 7-year (and going) tradition of serving the southern Holt County, MO community.

How The Community Thanksgiving Started

Other than the occasional adventure away from home, Sonja Sipes has lived in the small town of Oregon, MO her entire life. She revealed this plan that night to the other bartender. She wanted to host a huge Thanksgiving dinner next year and invite the entire community. Since it was only a month or two before Thanksgiving at the time, she was surprised to hear the response, “Why not this year?”.

Motivated by this, Sonja got to work. On her own, she put together a feast to feed the community of Oregon, MO, and the surrounding small towns. And people came.

Still Going

Seven years later, minus the year covid hit, she still hosts Thanksgiving dinner. Except now, she doesn’t have to do it alone. Sonja estimates between 20-25 helpers this year. Helpers include residents and businesses who have donated funds, food, cooking, and elbow grease. They plan for 50-75 people to attend. People from all walks of life, for many different reasons, will stop in for the food and the company. They come to “…spend time with people they actually like,” jokes Shirley Frederick, an Oregon resident who helps with cooking.

Thanksgiving morning this year was cloudy and comfortably cool. Inside the TJ Hall community building, Sonja butters the turkeys before putting them in the oven. Shirley is peeling potatoes. A couple of other community members pop in to drop things off. Although It is still several hours until the noon dinner, the excitement has already begun.

Why They Come

Sonja says people don’t come only for food. They eat, relax, play cards and sometimes stay for hours. Some residents join the community Thanksgiving dinner because they don’t have big families to cook for. Others may not be able to make it to the family dinners. There are guests who can’t afford the high price of groceries this year. And finally, many people come to enjoy time with their neighbors.

Judgement Free Zone

“There is no judgment”, Sonja says. While explaining this, the ladies start telling stories. They tell stories of hard times, poor choices, stubbornness, and life lessons. Sonja tells us, “I know what it’s like to be alone.” Memories of her experiences from those hard times keep her going year after year. She hopes she is helping people who have similar stories to hers.

A Time of Thanks

Sonja is grateful to God for providing year after year. She is appreciative of the small-town residents and the long list of friends and family who help. Shirley also praised God for making it possible. And then added how grateful she was for Leona Sipes’ sage stuffing. The community is grateful to Sonja for her work and dedication to carrying out her great idea.

How To Get Involved In Community Thanksgiving

If you have an interest in attending or helping with the Thanksgiving dinner next year, contact Sonja. She advertises through Facebook and word of mouth in the community.

If this is something you would like to do for your neighborhood, I hope you get some inspiration from Sonja’s story. It only takes one average Joe with a little faith to start a tradition of serving.

If interested in learning about another community dinner, check out the firemen’s barbecue.

The Word

Numbers 6:24-26. KJV ²⁴ The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: ²⁵ The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: ²⁶ The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

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