Nonprofit Rock The Community hosts third annual Thanksgiving event, serves free meal to community
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia-based nonprofit Rock The Community served a free Thanksgiving meal to dozens of families Wednesday at the Riechmann Indoor Pavilion in Columbia.
Rock The Community's mission is to empower families and help build sustainable communities.
“We'd like to try to get families together and also try to get people together with the community so that they can have a hot meal and get a chance to mingle and get to know each other,” Rock The Community Assistant Director Rodney March said.
A young attendee Zentrell Burnett, said his family was there to do just that.
“We're here to eat and stuff and have fun," Burnett said. "I ate some corn bread and turkey and a little bit of cookies.”
Besides this year's buffet-style spread, Burnett said he has much more to be thankful for.
“I’m thankful for my family and my friends," Burnett said. "Because without them, I probably wouldn't be here right now.”
Another youth who attended, Brody Meek, also shared his Thanksgiving blessings at the event.
“My mom, my food, and the car we have,” Meek said.
March said Wednesday's event typically brings in around 250 people. He saw a similar size crowd this year.
Rock The Community plans to host a similar event on Dec. 20. The organization also offers various services such as rental assistance, providing food security and assistance with resume building.
