Hundreds volunteer at Everybody Eats program

Almeta Crayton’s Everybody Eats has been a Thanksgiving tradition in Columbia for the past 16 years. But this time the meal is happening without Almeta, after her death on October 21 at the age of 53.

Her son Tyrone is now taking part in the program. Stamper Commons at Stephens College was packed from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., as volunteers and hungry citizens shared in a Thanksgiving meal. Food was prepared for as many as 350 to 500 people.

The event was made possible by help from organizations and over 200 volunteers. Alive in Christ Lutheran church brought 1,000 dessert items, and Veterans United made a cash donation. The Mizzou athletics association also donated 200 football tickets to be raffled off for Saturday’s game in Almeta’s memory.

The event is still planned for next November. This year one thing was noticeably missing. Organizers ran out of time this year for the food baskets, but they want to bring them back next year.