SELMA — In 2008, Evelyn Tucker and her family gave up their Thanksgiving at home and turned to the community to offer a Thanksgiving lunch with her church, Water Avenue Baptist Church.

Members of this church, as well as the possible participation of more than 10 churches in the Selma and Orrville, will open the doors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide a free Thanksgiving lunch for the community.

Churches participating are the Methodist Church of Orrville, Cambridge Christian Church of Orrville, Safford Baptist Church in Safford, Men’s Brotherhood of Orrville, Elkdale Baptist Church, Selma Baptist Association, and other churches have expressed an interest but have not yet confirmed.

“We just got to talking about feeding the hungry,” Tucker said. More than 200 people attended the lunch last year, and Tucker expects more than 300 people this year.

“As many can come as long as the food lasts,” Tucker said.

Congregants prepared most of the food on Wednesday and came back to the church early Thursday to place the finishing touches on the meals. Menu for the meal is lemon pepper chicken, ham, turkey, dressing, potato salad, green beans, rolls, macaroni and cheese, cake and tea.

Pastors from many area churches will be at the lunch, talking to members of the community.

“It’s a good way for all denominations to come together,” Pastor Rod Rochester said. “Churches from all denominations are participating.”

Tucker and church members understand some people may not have the means to provide a substantial Thanksgiving meal this year.

“We’re here to serve them,” Tucker said. “The community is cared about.”

Congregants will help serve the food, as well as attend the lunch, all on a voluntary basis.

“These people are taking time out of their family time to come out and donate their time to work with us,” Rochester said. “But, for all the people involved, this is another way of giving thanks.”

The event has enough interest that Rochester believes it will also occur next year.

“Our community, as a whole needs, to pull together,” Tucker said. “This is a great time for the community to start that.”