A coalition of local churches, small businesses, and volunteers is preparing to serve hundreds of residents at the annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner on Monday, November 24. The free meal begins at 1 p.m. at Cambridge Wesleyan Church, 801 Race Street, and is hosted by One Mission Cambridge.
Now in its third year, the dinner has grown into a significant community collaboration. Partners include One Mission Cambridge, Cambridge Wesleyan Church, Simmons Center Market, Taqueria Floritas, Carmela’s Cucina, the Cambridge Police Department, additional local churches, and numerous volunteers. Organizers began meeting nearly two months ago to coordinate food preparation, transportation, logistics, volunteer support, and sponsorships.
The scale of the event is significant. Simmons Center Market, a family-run business serving Cambridge since 1937, oversees the procurement and storage of all ingredients. This includes dozens of turkeys, potatoes, stuffing supplies, paper goods, and carry-out trays. Owner Ricky Travers said his team manages the essential behind-the-scenes work that allows the dinner to operate smoothly.
“We’re the guys behind the scenes,” Travers said. “We handle the logistics, the products, and getting it all there so the event goes off without a hitch. We have probably served the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents of many of the people who will come through the line.”
Much of the cooking is led by Taqueria Floritas. Owner Christopher Rojas Zayas and his staff prepare the turkeys and several side dishes. Their work starts on the Wednesday before the dinner and often requires 12 to 13-hour days. With limited oven space, the team uses both the restaurant kitchen and its food truck to cook 6 to 8 turkeys at a time.
“I was raised to give back, and I want my kids to grow up seeing that,” Rojas Zayas said. “A hot plate of food can bring people together, start conversations, and remind us that we are all part of the same community. Cambridge has supported us, and we want to give that back.”
On the day of the event, Simmons Center Market will use its delivery trucks to collect finished dishes from participating kitchens and transport them to the church hall. Volunteers from multiple partner organizations will set up warming racks, organize serving lines, and assist with distributing meals.
Travers underscored how important volunteers are to the dinner’s success. “A smiling face, a kind word, or a prayer can make a difference. There will be plenty of people there who want to offer that,” he said.
Meals will be limited to one per person while supplies last. Guests must be present to receive food.
This year’s sponsors include Paul Davis, Taqueria Floritas, Cambridge Wesleyan Church, the Cambridge Police Department, Carmela’s Cucina, Simmons Center Market, Grace Methodist Church, and The Garden Church.
One Mission Cambridge is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 614 Race Street. For more information, click here or find One Mission Cambridge on Facebook and Instagram. Donations can be mailed to One Mission Cambridge, P.O. Box 1495, Cambridge, MD 21613.
Good stuff by good people for good people. We are all made in the image and likeness of God… each and every one!