photo by: Rochelle Valverde

In this file photo from Nov. 28, 2016, Frank Ybarra serves a man during the annual LINK Thanksgiving dinner. Mary Olson, Janet Buie, Ybarra and Samantha Hauber were among about 150 volunteers who helped prepare, serve and deliver Thanksgiving meals for about 800 people.

Though the indoor dining room won’t be open, the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner will still occur this Thursday — with outdoor seating available.

Anyone wanting a Thanksgiving meal can go outside LINK’s headquarters at 221 W. 10th St. and receive a free to-go meal between 1 and 2 p.m. on Thursday. Those wishing to eat there can sit in tents donated by the University of Kansas’ Alumni Center. The portion of 10th Street where the dinner will occur will be blocked off from around noon until 2:30 p.m.

Deb Engstrom, who is coordinating the event, said they had all the volunteers they needed. She also said that LINK would be doing a huge number of food deliveries that day, much greater than any they’ve done in the past. The deadline for signing up for a meal delivery was Monday, however, so others seeking meals will need to pick up a to-go meal in person.

Anyone with questions may reach out to Engstrom at 785-727-3790. Masks are required for all volunteers and guests while they are not eating.