Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Nonprofit Brenda’s Table will be hosting its fifth annual Community Holiday Meal later in December to encourage holiday fellowship in the local community.

The meal is free and open to the public. Meal organizers aim to give out 600 meals this year.

Andrea-Dionne Kain, president of Brenda’s Table, said the event encourages people to sit and fellowship during the holidays. When diners arrive, Kain said, they will not simply move down a line.

Instead, a hostess will greet them and seat them at a table. Diners will be waited on throughout the meal and will have their choice of a meat, two vegetables, a bread, a dessert, and a drink.

“We want it to be an experience, and we just want it to be a nice, welcoming, warm time,” Kain said. “This is for anyone and everyone that wants to come, or let us deliver you a meal to your house, make sure that you have a warm meal, and just celebrate the holidays.”

For those unable to attend the meal, delivery will be available. Those wishing to place a delivery order can text (870) 206-2703.

Deliveries will be made in Jonesboro, as well as Bono, Brookland, Paragould, Trumann, and other nearby cities. Delivery requests will be accepted until 5 p.m. the day before the meal, or until the nonprofit receives 350 requests.

Kain said if the nonprofit receives more than 350 delivery requests, a backup list will be kept, in which requests will be fulfilled if there is enough food left over.

All food is donated, and businesses and community members can donate. Kain said volunteers are also needed. Volunteers can help with everything from deliveries, food donation, and pickup to serving, hosting, meal setup and teardown, and more. Click here to sign up to volunteer.

Additionally, wish lists for food/items to be donated are:

The community meal, which started five years ago, was created after the death of Kain’s mother. Kain said her mother’s birthday was on Christmas, and after her death, she wondered what people who had no family at the holidays did.

“That was the first Christmas that I actually did not have anything to do and was wondering what people do when they don’t have anything to do or family to do things with,” Kain said. “That year, within two weeks of having [the] idea, we hosted the first Community Holiday Meal.”

The meal will be Dec. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wesley Hall of First United Methodist Church, located at 801 S. Main St. Enter on the Union Street side.

Click here for more information and updates on the meal.

Brenda’s Table is a nonprofit that provides temporary emergency food aid to the Northeast Arkansas community for those affected by an unexpected event.