Thanksgiving Feast

Every year we have a Thanksgiving Feast. We provide the turkey, ham and pie. You bring a side dish.

Time: 1:15 pm - 5:30 pm

Place: The Red Cloud Serenity Club

Date: Thursday, Thanksgiving Day

Why do we do this?

Holidays are tough for alcoholics. So each year we put on a feast! We ask you bring a side dish and we'll provide the turkey, pie and rolls. Don't sit home on Thanksgiving, come up to the Red Cloud.

For alcoholics, spending time alone during the holidays can be particularly challenging due to several reason. For many alcoholics, spending time alone during the holidays can be incredibly difficult. The season, so often centered around togetherness and celebration, can painfully highlight feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. These emotions, when left unaddressed, can deepen the cravings that are already so hard to manage. Being alone during this time doesn’t just feel isolating—it can also feel like being on the outside of something warm and comforting, looking in.

There’s also the weight of social pressure. Holiday gatherings frequently revolve around alcohol, and even when someone chooses to stay away from those events to protect their sobriety, the knowledge of what they’re missing—paired with the pressure to “just have one”—can feel overwhelming. For someone in recovery, this time of year can stir up painful memories, deep nostalgia, or the ache of strained or lost relationships. Without healthy coping tools or someone to lean on, it’s easy to fall into old patterns.

The absence of support can be one of the hardest parts. When someone is alone, without check-ins from a sponsor, family, or close friends, there’s often less structure, fewer reminders of the progress they’ve made, and more space for destructive thoughts to creep in. Add to that the fact that the holidays tend to upend daily routines—meals happen at odd times, sleep is disrupted, and normal self-care habits can fall by the wayside—it’s easy to see how vulnerable this season can be.

And then, there’s the cultural piece: in so many traditions, alcohol is a symbol of celebration, togetherness, and joy. For someone who is working to stay sober, this can create a constant inner conflict—feeling out of place, misunderstood, or tempted, even when surrounded by love.

In the end, what makes the holidays so difficult for many alcoholics isn’t just the presence of alcohol—it’s the emotional and social weight the season carries. That’s why connection, compassion, and support are so vital during this time. No one should have to navigate it alone!