Local Church Feeds Hundreds At Annual Thanksgiving Day Brunch

Over 300 people packed Victory Church for the annual Thanksgiving Day brunch in Tulsa. Chef Paul Harbaugh wants to make sure everyone is getting fed.

“This is all the extra food that we’ll be filling the pans with, make sure we’ve got plenty,“ he said.

He has been preparing for the brunch since 6 o’clock Wednesday morning. Pastor Maria Clinkscales says it's a big effort, but all worth it.

“We don’t want people to cook today, we want them to take time off and let us doing the cooking,” she said.

She believes no one should be alone on a holiday like this.

“Thanksgiving Day’s a special day. Every day is Thanksgiving. But on the day of Thanksgiving, no one should be by themselves,” she said. 

She says people need people, but some might not have anyone. So this event gives them a chance to pull up a chair, enjoy all the holiday fixings and meet someone new.

“People need fellowship, they need friends, they need people to confide with, they need people to hang out with, and they know that Victory Church is here for them,” she said. 

Harbaugh says he feels moved that he can use his gift of cooking to make sure everyone's hearts are just as full as their stomach. 

"I’m ready to feed the 5,000 like Jesus did,” he said.