By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

As turkey day quickly approaches, the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance is continuing its efforts to make sure everyone in the community will have Thanksgiving dinner.

The ECMA's third annual Thanksgiving Day Feast will be at noon Nov. 26 at the National Guard Armory, 200 Main.

"It's the spirit of the first Thanksgiving when people were overcoming a difficult winter, that people united together to see that everyone was well-fed and had a place to go," said ECMA President Kyle Ermoian.

There is no charge for the community event, but freewill donations will be collected to benefit the alliance's Second Mile Fund, which provides monetary assistance to county residents in need.

Volunteers also are needed for the event to perform duties such as table decorating, cleanup and serving. Those interested should contact First Call for Help at (785) 623-2800.

The traditional holiday dinner will be prepared by the Bakery Shop and Catering, 205 E. Seventh, and members of several church congregations have volunteered to prepare a variety of pies for dessert.

The event, which is sponsored by several local businesses and the Ellis County and Hays City Commission, also will offer lunchtime entertainment and prizes.

Those in need also will receive a free bag of groceries, collected by members of Celebration Community Church on Nov. 21 at Walmart, 4301 Vine, and both Hays Dillons locations, 1902 Vine and 27th and Hall.

Last year's event fed nearly 400 people, including 75 volunteers, and organizers are preparing for a similar turnout next month.

The ECMA took over the privately run event three years ago in the hopes of providing a holiday feast to individuals who can't afford to prepare such a meal, or those who do not have family in town.

"It's to make sure that everybody has a place to spend Thanksgiving," Ermoian said.