Powerhouse Community Development preparing to serve 1,600 people on Thanksgiving Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Powerhouse Community Development Corporation's CEO Charles Stephenson anticipates 1,600 people will be served free meals on Thanksgiving Day.
For the fourth year in a row, the nonprofit is working to carry on the tradition of serving free meals to people on Thanksgiving Day since taking over the event. However, the organization will give back at a new location this year.
"It means everything. I often fathom what's life going to be like you know, when I step away or if I passed away? Who would keep the torch going?" Stephenson said. "I understand a lot about legacy and heritage. I understand how important it has been to this city just by the number of volunteers."
From 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Thursday, anyone can go to the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church located at 702 Banks Ave. in Columbia for a meal.
"A lot of times, people think it's just for the homeless, but Ms. Almeta created and envisioned people of all walks of life coming together," Stephenson said. "And that's what we've seen. We've seen homeless people come but we've seen seniors who have lost loved ones and maybe don't have family in town."
Stephenson said the organization has already received 800 delivery orders.
Between that and the people fed in-house on Thanksgiving Day, he expects this year's total to eclipse last year's, when 1,471 people were served a free meal.
According to Stephenson, 150 people have also volunteered to help prepare and serve the meals.
Anyone interested in volunteering on Thursday can sign up through the organization's facebook page.
According to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church's website, dine in, carry out and delivery meals will be offered from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday located at 206 East McCarty St. in Jefferson City.
