Sun City church continues traditional Thanksgiving dinner

Since 1997, The Church of the Palms in Sun City has embraced a tradition of offering a free, home‑cooked Thanksgiving meal to anyone in the community who wishes to share the holiday with others.

What began nearly three decades ago as a gesture of hospitality has grown into a gathering filled with friendship, food and connection.

This year’s dinner will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at 14808 N. Boswell Blvd.

“Every year, it’s deeply gratifying to come together and serve our friends and neighbors,” shared Wendy Whitlock, the leader of the Thanksgiving dinner at The Church of the Palms. “You might expect that preparing a Thanksgiving meal for so many people would feel like hard work or drudgery, but the opposite is true. More often than not, both volunteers and diners walk away with a sense of joy and genuine community. When we begin preparing in mid‑October, it’s always a delight to see everyone’s enthusiasm — people rolling up their sleeves with laughter, energy, and a shared purpose. This tradition fills our hearts as much as it fills the plates.”

Guests can enjoy a traditional feast featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, peas and a slice of pie. Takeout meals are available for those who prefer to celebrate at home or share with a neighbor.

To reserve a meal, community members are encouraged to call the reservation line at 623‑748‑3574. Those interested in volunteering — whether by serving food, greeting guests or helping with setup and clean up — may contact the church office at 623‑977‑8359.