None of them had to be asked to be there.

Dealership co-owner Casey Johnson said they basically just materialize.

“We never ask,” he said, “A hundred people show up. Not just here at the dealership, but also at Iowa Central to help deliver meals. This is a wonderful, beautiful community.”

Patrick Mashburn, of Farmersville, Texas, was in the area. He’s an over-the-road truck driver. His friend Galen Andrews, of Eagle Grove, mentioned the event.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen A group of guests, among the many who enjoyed the day Thursday, have Thanksgiving dinner during the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Toyota.

“He was in the area, I stepped in, said how about if we come here,” Andrews said.

“I absolutely agreed, I’m super glad I came,” Mashburn said. “I’m amazed that a dealership has taken this on.”

After their stint working, the pair enjoyed the meal.

“It’s top notch,” Andrews said.

Volunteer Curt Messerly, of Fort Dodge, showed up at 9 a.m.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Volunteers Patrick Mashburn, of Farmersville, Texas, at left, along with his friend Galen Andrews, of Eagle Grove, help stock table supplies Thursday morning for the 2024 Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota. Both are over the road truck drivers that decided to come help while taking their 34 hour break. Volunteers Patrick Mashburn, of Farmersville, Texas, at left, along with his friend Galen Andrews, of Eagle Grove, help stock table supplies Thursday morning for the 2024 Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Toyota. Both are over the road truck drivers that decided to come help while taking their 34 hour break.

He came last year and managed to survive what he called the “Great Mixup of 2023.”

“We got done helping,” he said. “There was no food left so I had to take my wife to the Community for Thanksgiving dinner.”

He was enjoying the experience, finding the time goes quickly.

“It just flew by,” he said.

Volunteer Robert Righi, of Peoria, Illinois, has been spending time in Fort Dodge helping out family members. He heard about the dinner through an ad.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Volunteer Robert Righi, of Peoria, Illinois, looks for his next task Thursday at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota. Volunteer Robert Righi, of Peoria, Illinois, looks for his next task Thursday at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Toyota.

“I said, you know what, I want to give back,” Righi said. “It’s a wonderful, caring community.”

The food for the dinner is prepared by the Iowa Central Community College culinary arts students. It’s a two week long project.

Student Mackynzie Schroeder, of Clinton, was serving up vegetables

“We’ve been doing this for two weeks,” she said. “I love being here today and seeing all the people.”

One of those was Ruby Jacobsen, of Fort Dodge. She’s been attending every year since 2014.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Volunteers Curt Messerly, right, Stephanie McElroy, center and Chad Lundburg, left, work on wrapping cutlery in napkins Thursday morning during the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota. All three are from Fort Dodge and had arrived to help at 9 a.m.

She has another reason, besides the food and company.

“It’s just to see Casey,” she said after getting a Casey Johnson hug. “I got to get my hugs.”

For some of the younger volunteers, the day was about learning valuable life lessons.

Jen Crimmins, of Fort Dodge, brought her daughter Olivia Crimmins, 5. She was helping to make sure everything got into the take-out bags being filled.

“I grew up helping out,” Jen Crimmins said. “I hope they learn to help, that they want to help. We fill our baskets by filling other people’s baskets.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Deb Johnson, co-owner of Fort Dodge Ford Toyota helps set the tables Thursday morning for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Toyota. Volunteers began arriving around 9 a.m.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Volunteer Patrick Mashburn, of Farmersville, Texas, offers a big grin Thursday morning as he helps carry in food for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota. . Yes, those are snowflakes in the air.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Dodging a few snowflakes along the way, Iowa Central Community College Culinary Arts student Mackynzie Schroeder, of Clinton, Iowa, helps carry in food for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Thursday.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Sales Consultant Justin Faiferlick helps carry in food Thursday morning for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the dealership. Faiferlick was among many employees who came to help.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Volunteers Leslie and Chuck Reetz, of Fort Dodge, manage to applaud and hold onto the beverage refills Thursday while attending the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Cas Butler, of Webster City, a first year Iowa Central Culinary Arts student serves the mashed potatoes Thursday during the -Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Cas Butler, of Webster City, a first year Iowa Central Culinary Arts student, serves the mashed potatoes Thursday during the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Toyota.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Curt Messerly, of Fort Dodge, helps wheel in a cart of food Thursday morning during the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Dodge Ford Toyota. Messerly was among many volunteers who showed up to help.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Olivia Crimmins, 5, of Fort Dodge, along with her mom Jen Crimmins, fill a bag with the takeout meals during the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Thursday.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Olivia Crimmins, 5, of Fort Dodge, makes sure there's cranberry sauce in the takeout meals during the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Fort Dodge Ford Toyota Thursday.