Upcoming Thanksgiving events for those in need this season
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
For the past month, the Samaritan Center has been giving out Thanksgiving packages, full of dinner dishes and ingredients, including turkeys.
"You know when we’re giving out turkeys and Thanksgiving stuff,” said Ben DeFeo, who is the center’s operations manager. “Even at the beginning of the month, you get folks who are excited to get that turkey."
The center has been hosting the event annually for 35 years. Tuesday will mark the last day it will give out packages for Thanksgiving. Those interested can visit the Samaritan Center which is open from 10 a.m.-noon.
Monday was the first day of the Jefferson City nonprofit Building Community Bridges food drive.
While that food drive required people to schedule ahead of time, the leftover turkeys will be given out from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday night.
"We’re being thankful for what we have and sharing it with the community,” Diane Struemph, BCB Food Pantry Coordinator, said. “We’ve taken signups for the last two weeks and they’ve said, 'Oh I would appreciate that so much, just to get a turkey or a Thanksgiving box.' So I think most of the people will be thankful for what we are giving them this evening."
On Thanksgiving Day, the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jefferson City will be serving meals from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for its annual holiday feast and fellowship event.
In Columbia, the Salvation Army Harbor House will host a dinner Thursday from noon-1:30 p.m. Shelter Manager Tambra Redden said if residents are looking to donate, they could always use some more desserts.
“Having a Thanksgiving dinner is a normal thing that people do,” DeFeo added. "Any sense of normalcy that you can help build in that life, for those families, is great.”
Those interested in donating or volunteering at any of the above organizations can call area centers to find the best ways to help, including:
Samaritan Center- (573) 634-7776
Building Community Bridges- (573) 832-3426
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church- (636) 561-6611
Salvation Army Harbor House- (573) 442-1984
