BROWNWOOD – November 3, 2026 – Area residents and visitors are invited to attend the annual Community Thanksgiving Feast at Howard Payne University (HPU). The lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, at HPU’s Mabee University Center, located at 1219 Fisk Street in Brownwood.
The annual event, which is led and coordinated by North Lake Community Church in May, is free, but donations are accepted.
“We appreciate the continued partnership between Howard Payne University and North Lake Community Church,” said North Lake’s Pastor Ron Keener. “Last year’s attendance was the largest ever – with more than 2,500 meals served – and we had 143 volunteers from the community help us with this event.”
The traditional Thanksgiving meal will consist of turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. For those unable to join friends and neighbors at HPU, volunteers will deliver meals in Brownwood and Early, with a maximum of 10 delivered meals per household.
Reservations for deliveries can be made by texting Steve, the delivery coordinator, at 325-200-3445 beginning Monday, Nov. 9, until noon on Monday, Nov. 23. Text reservations should include the recipient’s full name, complete address and number of meals requested.
A confirmation text will be sent after text reservations are made. Dessert will not be included with delivery meals.
Individuals interested in volunteering can assist with serving food and beverages, boxing meals to go, delivering meals to homes, and cleaning at the Mabee Center after the event. Volunteers should arrive at the Mabee Center at 9:30 a.m. For more information about volunteering, call or text Keener at 325-642-9748.
To help support the Thanksgiving meal, please make checks payable to the “Community Thanksgiving Feast,” and send them to Katrina Lynn, Howard Payne University, 1000 Fisk Street, Suite 210, Brownwood, Texas 76801. Donation may also be brought to the Mabee Center on Thanksgiving Day.
“This would not be possible without the outpouring of financial support from our giving community,” Keener said.
ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values — centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship — Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.