Why We Do This           

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We are Mike Sheridan and Kellen Leef.  We started this Community Thanksgiving Dinner in 2015, when we had a brick-and-mortar restaurant, simply by crossing our fingers and  throwing open the doors, Inviting anyone and everyone to come and eat.  No paperwork.  No ID's.  No proof of income.  No charge.   

We did it in honor of Kellen's father, the late Rev. Sterling Morgan, with the simple idea that a lot of people are alone during the holidays, and just unable to cook or enjoy the holiday by themselves.  We wanted to feed people, sure.  But our main concern was alleviating the lonliness that so many people experience during the holiday.

 We were pleasantly surprised when people started showing up with donations of food, and offers to volunteer and help out.  That was when we realized that we weren't alone in the endeavor.  The first year, we and the volunteers served about 100 people altogether, rotating through our little 46-seat dining room.

Later, after closing the restaurant, we approached the State Fair of West Virginia for the use of space on the Fairgrounds.  The Fair People readily agreed, and the Blue Ribbon Center became the venue for the event.  It grew every year, not only in number of diners, but in volunteers and material donations as well.  In 2023, we served 883 people, both in the dining room, and by carry-out or delivery.  We had lots of help, but ran out of food, even after several emergency runs to Kroger.  

We expect that the need will be even greater in 2024, so we're preparing for a record-breaking 1,000 meals.  The event will be at the Cecil Underwood Building on the Fairgrounds campus.

Let's Be Frank

We are just regular people. There is no way we could pull this thing off by ourselves.  We absolutely rely on members of the community to show up and do the work, from peeling potatoes to waiting tables to cleaning up.  We rely on local individuals and businesses for donations of food and supplies.  And, we also welcome cash contributions, which we can readily convert to food.  We ask for no payment whatsoever from those we serve, but we do put out a tip jar in case somebody wants to throw some money in it.

Every year, we start at zero dollars.  If there is any food left over, we donate it to a local food bank;  we give any prepared food to the Family Refuge Center or the Senior Center.  If there is any cash left after we pay the bills, we give that to Penny Pitch, which is a worthy charity that helps local families with Christmas needs, utility bills, and the like.   

Every year, we start at zero dollars, and we finish at zero dollars. 

We hope that you will  be a part of this community event.  Volunteer some time, or send a donation if you can.  Whether or not, we cordially invite you to bring your family and enjoy some good food and fellowship with us on Thanksgiving Day.

Click for All About Volunteering

How to Donate

Please scroll down for our "wish list" of foods and supplies needed.  We try to keep the list updated as pledges and donations come in, so please check back often.  Donations can be dropped off at Swift Level Fine Meats, across from the Fairgrounds on the Southbound Side, during their normal business hours.  

You may also drop off money and non-perishable items at Body and Sol Salon, Route 60 West of Lewisburg, and Creative Kitchens, US 219 North in the shopping center behind Ruby Tuesday.

Please drop off during normal business hours, Monday through Wednesday, November 25 through November 27.

We are also happy to take money.  We prefer cash or checks, so that 100% of the money donated can go directly to the dinner, instead of the bank or the credit card company.  Please make checks payable to "When Pigs Fly" and take them to one of the dropoff locations, or mail them to When Pigs Fly, Post Office Box 204, Maxwelton, West Virginia, 24957.  Please don't send cash through the mail.

If you prefer to donate using a credit or debit card, please click the button below and work through the screens.  Our payments are processed by Stripe.