Maricopa Pantry to host annual Thanksgiving potluck at Copper Sky

784
The annual Thanksgiving Melting Pot Luck, hosted by Maricopa Pantry, drew more than 400 people last year. This year's potluck is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Copper Sky gym, and as many as 1,000 are expected. [Jennifer Connelly]

Anyone who does not have plans or a place to go for Thanksgiving is welcome at Maricopa Pantry’s Melting Pot Luck on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gym at Copper Sky.

Food will be provided by local restaurants and businesses, but those who are able are encouraged to bring a dish.

“It’s an open invitation to all,” said organizer Jennifer Connelly. “We want to make sure anyone who needs a meal or would otherwise be alone has a place to go and celebrate the holiday with the community.”

Volunteer opportunities are available all day, beginning when cooking begins at 8 a.m. and running through breakdown at 3 p.m.

“If you’ve got five minutes or five hours, I’ve got a job for you,” Connelly said. “We need help with everything from sign-ins, kitchen help, serving help, giving directions, clean up, you name it.”

The potluck drew 423 people last year, and Connelly is expecting about 1,000 this year.

Local restaurants and groups providing food include Roots Eatery, Sweet Cravings, Coast 2 Coast BBQ, Honeycutt Coffee, Maricopa Pantry and Maricopa Cowboy Church.

Volunteers will prepare 25 turkeys and 10 hams, which will be served throughout the day to ensure there always is a hot entrée at the ready.

“We’ll have everything from turkey to tamales, so don’t worry about us having something you’ll like,” Connelly said.

Guests who bring a hot dish to share should use a disposable 9×13-inch foil pan with a lid or foil over the dish. Cold dishes may be brought in any container, as long as it is disposable.

Other sponsoring businesses helping make the potluck possible:

  • Felix Appliance, Heating and Air.
  • Promo With Grace.
  • Semper Fi Pest Management.
  • Jim Mickelson Home Smart Success Real Estate.
  • Integrity Carpet Repair & Installation.
  • Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning.
  • InMaricopa.
  • Country Stylin’ Hair and Beauty Salon.

For sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, contact Connelly at [email protected].