Pictured are Brad Swanson of Conduit Ministries, Kaylee Lindstrom of Bemus Point United Methodist Church, Jessica McKeever of Conduit Ministries and the Rev. Cameron Lienhart of Conduit Ministries. The group is pictured in front of some of the meal tags representing the 1,000 Thanksgiving meals they will giveaway during their annual Thanksgiving event. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

Two local churches have partnered to provide 1,000 turkey dinners to area families — but they need the public’s help.

This is the fifth annual “No Questions Asked Thanksgiving Giveaway,” held in partnership with Conduit Ministries and Bemus Point United Methodist Church. The meals will be distributed at four locations throughout Jamestown at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21. Distribution events will be held at Conduit Ministries at 120 Delaware Avenue; Love School at 50 E. 8th Street; The Chautauqua Center at 107 Institute Street; and a new location at the Resource Center at 880 E. Second Street.

While Conduit Ministries and Bemus Point United Methodist Church have taken care of the turkeys and pies, they are asking community members to help out by purchasing the sides to go along with the meals. The dinners will include a turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce, pie and a foil pan. The dinners will be provided to families with no strings attached — no paperwork or proof of need necessary.

The Rev. Cameron Lienhart of Conduit Ministries said hopelessness is not only relegated to those who have limited finances.

“We just have this radical idea that Jesus didn’t just want to feed people’s souls — he actually wanted to feed people’s stomachs as well,” said Lienhart. “If a Thanksgiving meal would be a blessing to you and a blessing to your family, then we want to provide that for you, whether or not you don’t have a job or if you make six figures.”

The group is hoping to spread a little love and a little hope this season by providing meals to families and encouraging them to celebrate Thanksgiving in the community with others. The past few years have been difficult, and the holidays can be difficult for anyone, regardless of their circumstances.

“You don’t need to be economically poor to be hopeless,” he said. “You can live a pretty hopeless existence where everything is doom and gloom and you don’t see anything positive in the future for your family, for yourself, for your kids, for your job or whatever. I have been hopeless in my life before, and I’m sure everyone around this circle could tell stories about hopelessness in their own lives before. The only antidote to hopelessness, or what we believe the only antidote to hopelessness is the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is what we hope to communicate both in our work but also in our interaction and our deeds through this event to the people in Jamestown.”

The churches are partnering with Farm Fresh Foods, and community members can inquire at the registers and purchase a pre-made bag that will be held at the store for the giveaway. Or, participants are welcome to purchase the following items at a store of their choice and return them to Conduit Ministries by Nov. 14.

For a small family bag, requested items include a box of stuffing mix, canned green beans, gravy, canned corn, boxed potatoes, refrigerated rolls and cranberry sauce. For a large family bag, requested items include two boxes of stuffing mix, two cans of green beans, two jars of gravy, two cans of corn, a large box of potatoes, refrigerated rolls and two jars of cranberry sauce.

Brad Swanson, an organizing committee member, said helping with the past Thanksgiving events has enriched his life through his efforts in helping the community.

“Three years ago, if you talked to me, I wasn’t even a member of a church,” Swanson said. “It was events like these that were a huge part of mine and my wife’s (life).”

He said he learned that church isn’t as much about a building as it is about “what you can do for your community.”

Kaylee Lindstrom, Bemus Point United Methodist Church Family Ministries and Outreach director, said the point of the event is to show each individual and family that they are valued.

“That’s the heart of the event — it’s our way of loving on people and showing that everyone is worthy of love,” Lindstrom said. “Everyone is welcome at the event and everyone deserves a Thanksgiving meal. We can help provide that, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

The event is also in need of volunteers to help out and business sponsors to help cover the cost of the turkeys and pies. Those interested in helping in these ways can call Conduit Ministries at 294-3180 or Bemus Point United Methodist Church at 386-3401.

“We have a google form for volunteer signups or someone can call the churches and let one of us know,” said Jessica McKeever, Conduit Ministries Operations director. “We can get them plugged into a location the day of, or as of now, we’ll most likely need help sorting ahead of time sorting bags.”

Donations for the event can be accepted through PayPal at payment@conduit-ministries.com, Venmo at @conduit-ministries or check sent to 120 Delaware Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701 made out to “Conduit Ministries Attn: Thanksgiving.”

The group also invites the public to like their respective Facebook pages and share their posts with their friends to get the word out to those who may be interested in receiving a meal and those who are willing to help with the event.