FIELDON - Community members can join a community Thanksgiving meal in Fieldon.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
At 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, at Fieldon United Church of Christ, the Fanning family will serve a Thanksgiving dinner to everyone in attendance. No RSVPs are required, but Niki Egelhoff, who helps organize the event, encourages people to call by Nov. 19 if they would like a carry-out or delivered meal. Everyone is welcome to attend.
“It looks just like Thanksgiving has looked at our house for a lot of years,” Egelhoff said. “We’re very blessed to have a big family and to have always had really incredible traditions, and we just felt like we were in the position to share that with others and welcome them to the table so that nobody has to be by themselves on the holidays.”
The church, located at 205 S. 1st Street in Fieldon, has a Family Life Center where Egelhoff and her family will set up several tables. She explained that they try to create “a very homey, comfortable vibe,” by playing football on the TV, serving finger foods before the meal, and hosting a few kids’ activities. She emphasized that the event is very similar to the family’s own traditions, but with a few extra people.
The “very traditional, fully home-cooked Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings” will be served at 1 p.m. Last year, they served almost 250 people and hope to increase the number to 315 this year.
If you would prefer a carry-out or delivered meal, Egelhoff asks you to call her sister-in-law Jen at 618-535-3220 or her brother Tim at 618-535-3221 by Nov. 19 if possible. They want to make sure they have enough meals for everyone.
If you’re interested in volunteering, donating, delivering food, or making food for the event, you can also call Jen and Tim for more information. Egelhoff noted that their big family comes together to cook and serve the meal alongside friends and community members.
They will start cooking on Sunday, Nov. 23, to prepare for the Thursday meal. Egelhoff said they devote an entire day to cookies and desserts, and the meal itself is spearheaded by their mother, Patty, who “runs a tight ship” and is happy to assign jobs to anyone who wants to help.
Egelhoff stressed that everyone is invited to attend, and they welcome people “of all demographics,” from folks who recently lost a loved one and don’t want to be alone to people who will not have a hot meal otherwise. Whatever your situation, you are encouraged to stop by and enjoy the family Thanksgiving.
“Over the last few years, we’re just really seen it grow,” Egelhoff added. “I think it takes a little bit of courage for somebody who maybe doesn't have those family or friend connections to either get involved or to come and join us that day. I think that everybody that has taken that leap has really appreciated it. Most people come back every year, and that's why it continues to grow, because this is a part of their tradition.”
Anyone who has questions, wants to help, or wants to reserve a carry-out or delivered meal can call Jen at 618-535-3220 or Tim at 618-535-3221. You can also visit the official Facebook event page for more information.
Egelhoff thanked the community for support and asked for prayers that the event goes well and “everybody who is involved or on the receiving end just feels really blessed this season.”
More like this:
