WEST POINT — Free Thanksgiving dinners will be available Thursday for those needing a meal during the holiday.

West Point Mayor Steve Tramell and churches in Valley and Lanett will have meals available throughout the Greater Valley Area. 

In West Point, Tramell has teamed with local restaurants and Jackson Heating and Air to provide a big tent and a hot meal for the second straight year. Tramell said Tuesday there will be turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and sweet potatoes will be served for anybody who wants to show up.

He said it was the teamwork from the community that helps put together such an event.

“I could not do this if the local restaurants didn’t pitch in,” Tramell said. “I just got with everybody and asked them to do it, and they all said absolutely.”

The restaurants will start cooking early Thanksgiving morning, and food will be ready to serve hundreds of meals by 10:30 a.m. The tent will be facing 10th Street, and people can line up.

“Anybody who wants to show up, can show up,” Tramell said. “It’s for the community, but we get people from Lanett and Valley as well.”

Tramell said the event is an excellent way to give back to the community and restaurants want to give back to the customers who have supported them.

“The restaurants want to give back — I want to give back,” he said. “There are a lot of people who wouldn’t get a Thanksgiving meal, and who doesn’t want a piece of turkey on Thanksgiving? If they don’t have a way to get a Thanksgiving meal, here’s the way to do it.”

Also, on Thursday, Fairview Baptist Church, on River Road in Valley, will have free Thanksgiving dinners this year. Those wanting a meal can pick up a meal or have one delivered between 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Meals have to be reserved, however, so to get one, call (334) 756-3746 and leave a name, address, phone number, number of plates and if it’s for pick up or delivery.

New Bethel Ministries, 407 N. 13th Ave. in Lanett, is also getting in on the free Thanksgiving meal action. Free meals will be handed out from noon until 4 p.m. EST on Thanksgiving for anybody who wants one.