Columbia organization working to give everyone a Thanksgiving meal
EDITOR'S NOTE:Â This story has been corrected to reflect that Kentrell Minton was Alemta Crayton's godson.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Powerhouse Community Development is partnering with home-school communicators, API Fitness and other organizations to ensure everyone in need gets a Thanksgiving meal this holiday.
Powerhouse Community Development is putting together turkey baskets that include a turkey and sides such as corn, green beans, macaroni and others. The organization is expecting to give away at least 500 turkey baskets Saturday.
Donors can drop off Thanksgiving food items at the Powerhouse Community Development primary drop-off location until 5 p.m. Friday. The drop-off address is 601 Business Loop, Suite 204. The group is giving away the baskets on Saturday at Parkade Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The group will host the Thanksgiving meal at the Columbia Senior Activity Center on Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CEO Charles Stephenson said he expects 800 to 900 people to show up Saturday.
"We currently have I believe purchased some 1,500 turkeys already," Stephenson said. "Hopefully we can get another 500 or so. We're shooting for 2,000".
The tradition of Powerhouse Community Development giving turkeys out every year started with Almeta Crayton. She was the First Ward council member of Columbia who passed away in 2013.
Her godson, Kentrell Minton, continued her tradition until his passing on Nov. 11, 2020. Crayton's tradition has been carried on for more than 20 years.
