Centennial plans community dinner; deadline Monday for delivered meals

Centennial Bank in Conway will team up with New Life Church for this year’s “Centennial Thanksgiving Dinner.”

This is the fifth year for Centennial to host the community dinner, which was started about 20 years ago by Catherin and Bob Blankenship. The meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22, at New Life Church, 633 Country Club Road in West Conway.

“This event is a testament to our community’s commitment to provide for those who are not able to share this special holiday with friends and loved ones,” said Eric King, marketing manager at Centennial. “We have much to be thankful for at Centennial Bank and feel that is highly appropriate that we give back to the community that has given so much to us by organizing this meal of thanksgiving.”

In addition, Centennial partnered with The City of Hope Outreach to offer Thanksgiving meals last weekend at two satellite locations – at Brookside Trailer Park and the Oakwood Complex on East Robins Street.

“We realized the need was much greater than what we’ve served,” King said. “We were interested in doing more and teamed with The City of Hope last year, we served over 300 on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.”

About 400 people were fed at last year’s Thanksgiving Day meal, with 300 of those meals delivered. Organizers are making plans to serve 1,000 this year at the three meals.

A special committee has been meeting for several months to plan this year’s event. “We extend an invitation to those who are in need and are alone for the holiday.”

A special phone number has been set up for those who would like to have a meal delivered to their home – 501.328.4859. The deadline to register is Monday, Nov. 19.

For more information, contact Centennial Bank at 501.505.8133.