Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
For the 25th consecutive year, the Elks Lodge will be hosting its free community Thanksgiving dinner Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Center Lake Pavilion.
The meal, which is open to the public, will consist of 28 20-pound turkeys, 80 pounds of ham, 22 gallons of green beans, 85 pies and more.
"One of the reasons we all do this is to feed the needy, but it's certainly not only for the needy," Elks member Dan Brumfield said. "It's so people don't have to spend Thanksgiving alone."
Mike and Alice Schooley, along with 10 other cooks, will prepare the meat at the American Legion Wednesday in order to prepare for the event. Alice said vegetables for the meal will be cooked the morning of Thanksgiving.
In the years the Schooleys helped with the cooking, Alice remembers a year when, because certain foods weren't delivered in time, she had to thaw 12 whole turkeys in a bathtub in order to cook the meat for the event. By the time people began arriving for the community dinner, the turkeys were ready to be eaten.
"That was really something else," Alice said. "But it's been fun, and we've had good help most of the time."
Members estimate the event will feed 600 people over its two hours, with 125 of the meals being delivered to individuals who don't have transportation available. Anyone interested in receiving a meal can call 574-267-7802 for a Thanksgiving meal Thursday.
"We've had different people drop in over the years. We've had some lawyers eat with us before," Brumfield said. "It's a big social gathering so everyone can feel at home."
