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The dishes have been counted, recipes have been sorted and the food has begun to be prepared. Thanksgiving dinner is ready to be served but without the traditional gobble-gobble.
The Interfaith Center, 913 S. Illinois Ave., will host the community's annual Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
"It has all the other aspects of a traditional holiday feast," said Hugh Muldoon, director of the Interfaith Center. "At the same time, it is compelling because it challenges the common centerpiece of Thanksgiving -turkey."
The menu for the vegetarian meal is full of Thanksgiving favorites such as sweet potatoes, stuffing, bean salad, as well as 30 pounds of vegan mashed potatoes, gallons of gravy and 60 pounds of tofu turkey.
Tracy McEvilly, a student at SIUC, spent much of last week perfecting her recipe and the presentation of the 10, six-pound "tofurkies" that will be served.
The meal will also include a variety of other vegetarian and vegan foods.
Besides food, the event will have live music and the appearance of a dancing vegetable.
McEvilly said she wanted to help organize the dinner because of her involvement with the Student Environmental Center, one of the event's sponsors.
"I felt that this was a good way to contribute to the efforts of Student Environmental Center without having to do paperwork," McEvilly said. "I wanted to make my contribution in the kitchen."
The Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner is sponsored by the Neighborhood Co-op, Southern Sustainability, Campus Shawnee Greens, Student Environmental Center and the Interfaith Center.
Everyone is welcome to attend the dinner. Muldoon said about 150 to 200 people are expected to attend the event and encourages people to come early.
There is a suggested donation of $5.
"We're not selling this meal," Muldoon said. "It's about celebrating and giving thanks. We are happy to have everyone there, happy to be together."
Anyone interested in volunteering to help should call 549-7387.
