If  Kyle Ermoian had his way, there would be more songs about Thanksgiving.

The pastor of Celebration Community Church and member of the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance is looking forward to Thursday’s annual Community Thanksgiving Feast.

ECMA took over the tradition in 2007 and it’s been held in the National Guard Armory in downtown Hays.

Tomorrow’s dinner, which begins at noon, will be at the old Fanchon Ballroom.

The building has been purchased by Pam Burgardt of Rose Garden Steak House & Catering, and is now called the Rose Garden Banquet Hall.

“Now Pam won’t have to deliver the food,” says Ermoian.  “It’s all in one location now.”

The former Pam’s Bakery Shop and Catering was located at 230 East Eighth Street in downtown Hays.

People attending the free dinner will also get a bag of groceries to take home.

Celebration Community Church volunteers Megan Stanley and Keith Heron were collecting food donations from shoppers Saturday at the Vine Street Dillons:

Wednesday night, about a hundred volunteers will sack the donated groceries and “deck the hall” for Thursday’s dinner.

Ermoian says the dinner costs about $4,000 and tax deductible donations are always welcome.  The event is coordinated by First Call for Help; the ACCESS van will provide transportation.