Thanksgiving Dinner
The Thanksgiving Dinner for international students and their families is held on Thanksgiving Day, a major American holiday celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November. It began in 1984 as a project co-sponsored by the First United Methodist Church under the leadership of Dr. Armando and Ruth de la Cruz who are long-time residents of Starkville.
It started as a regular family dinner in the home of the de la Cruz family originally attended by Filipino students only. In the mid-1970s, few other international students were invited to the dinner. Many more began to attend in succeeding years.
In 1984, Armando and Ruth requested the Work Area on Missions of the First United Methodist Church to help sponsor the dinner. The dinner was then moved from the de la Cruz home to the church’s Fellowship Hall. Attendance to the dinner was 50 that first year, 75 the second year, and has continued to increase over the years. The Thanksgiving Dinner has, since 1993, moved to the Christian Life Center. Attendance averages between 200 and 300 guests.
Some American students who are in town during the Thanksgiving holiday and many church families who wish to spend their noon dinner time with the international community have also participated in this traditional Thanksgiving celebration.
Traditional Thanksgiving food of baked turkey meat with dressing and gravy is served with corn, green beans, and sweet potato casseroles. Salad, rolls, and a dessert of pies which varies in kind from year to year completes the meal. A program appropriate to the occasion has always been held following the dinner that included musical performances, speakers, slide shows, skits and other forms of entertainment.
A committee of volunteers from the church and community help prepare and serve dinner, decorate and set-up tables and chairs, dine with the international guests, and clean-up. Food and door prizes are donated by church members and friends from the community.