FAIRBURY, NE — For the 22nd year in a row, a southeast Nebraska radio station along with local businesses is putting on a Thanksgiving meal.

"You know, we feed 400 people every Thanksgiving and that means a lot. It means that it's needed and we're doing this for a purpose," Ol' Red 99.5 Station Manager Trevor Steinmeyer said. 

Ol’ Red 99.5 in Fairbury is hosting its annual community Thanksgiving dinner at the Fairbury Elks Lodge Thursday. Steinmeyer says the meal is designed for anyone who may not have family or friends in the area or are unable to prepare a meal for themselves.

"It's great because it gives people a place to go and have some fellowship and have a traditional Thanksgiving meal," he said. 

Back this year is the ability to dine in. For the past two years, the group adapted to a carry-out only format due to the pandemic.

"When we initially set this up, that's what it was for," Steinmeyer said. "It was for people to come here, have dinner with other people and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with fellowship. It was really important for us to get past all the COVID stuff and get people back in here."

Members of the Ol’ Red 99.5 staff have spent several hours the past couple days getting things ready for Thursday. It also wouldn’t be possible without the help of local businesses.

This years Thanksgiving meal sponsors are: 3rd Street Body and Glass, American National Bank, AVE Wealth Management, Den's Meat Market, Edgewood Hotel and Suites, Fairbury Elks Lodge, Fairbury Senior Diners, First Tri County Bank, Heartland Bank, Husker Rehab, Jefferson Community Health and Life, Livingston Enterprises, Inc., Maatsch's Food Shop, Ray's AppleMarket, Riverside Chevrolet, Starr Buckow Insurance, Union Bank and Trust, Westin Packaged Meats and Wheel 'N Deal Auto Sales. 

"A big thank you to the community and our sponsors for helping us out each and every year," Steinmeyer said. 

Doors will be open for dine-in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Carryout is also available.