Donations are needed for this year's community Thanksgiving event, Friendsgiving in the Park.

The setup

A grassroots operation, the communitywide event offers a free, traditional Thanksgiving meal at Fisherman's Park for anyone who wants to join, organizer Kyra Kradjel said.

Lend a hand

Kradjel said Friendsgiving in the Park relies entirely on donations of food and time from volunteers to set up, serve and clean up.


Monetary donations are also accepted to aid with costs like the pavilion rental, Kradjel said, adding she hopes to establish the event as a nonprofit entity by 2025.

The top food items needed include:
  • Green bean casseroles
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Gravy
  • Desserts
"All items should be cooked and dropped off at the park around 10 a.m., unless you arrange for pickup," Kradjel said. "Volunteers can meet at noon for setup, and I’ll give my safety briefing."

Kradjel said Jack of Hearts—a nonprofit that gives scholarships to graduating high school seniors entering trade schools—will warm and rotate hot food throughout the day.

"They have been such a blessing to me," Kradjel said.


Some context

The event was started in 2014 by former Bastrop resident Joe Medina to give those without homes a place to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with others. Since then, it has morphed into an event for everyone, Kradjel said.

"It’s all about community helping community and coming together to give thanks and to serve a Thanksgiving meal," Kradjel said. "This couldn't happen without everyone's help."