By Rita Howell

The guest count for Gale Bean’s Thanksgiving dinner is up to 500.

For the second year, the Batesville woman has organized a feast for the community’s needy and elderly… and she’s upped the ante because of the sour economy.

 “So many people are out of jobs right now,” she said.

Last year Bean and her team of volunteers fed about 325, but want to be prepared for more on Thursday when they open the doors to the National Guard Armory to begin serving at 10 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m.

The free feast is offered to anyone who might not otherwise enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this year. Bean and her crew are hoping that most guests will opt to enjoy the food, fellowship and festive decorations at the armory, but they are making arrangements to deliver meals to anyone who cannot get to the facility.

“A motorcycle club has volunteered to handle the deliveries,” Bean said.

Like a general before a battle, Bean has assembled her army (about 35 volunteers) and supplies (many of them donated) and delegated responsibilities: one lady is preparing all the turkey and dressing, and a man volunteered to cook all the green beans. Another woman is handling table decorations.

“I’ve found that if you get the word out to enough people with good hearts, they don’t mind helping,” Bean said.

For the second year, she’s overwhelmed with the response of the community.

“It touches my heart,” she said. “I really appreciate everyone coming together to do something positive in our county.”

For more information or to request a meal to be delivered, call Bean at 609-3846 or Adrianna Ellis at 934-5248.