YMCA Serves 67 Families with 'Operation Thanksgiving Dinner'
Posted
Staff Report-
During the YMCA's third annual “Operation Thanksgiving Dinner,” 67 families received nonperishable food items to create a Thanksgiving meal.
Members and participants in the YMCA could choose a feather off of the turkey in the lobby Nov. 7- 16.
The feather included information about the family they were helping, how many people are in the family and any foods to avoid.
They then brought back non-perishable food items that could be used in creating a full Thanksgiving meal for the family they selected, including a gift card to an area grocery store so the family could buy a Thanksgiving turkey.
The YMCA asked that they add in some extra goodies like an encouraging note or a recipe and package it all in a decorated box or basket.
They brought everything to the YMCA Nov. 18-20 and families came to pick them up Monday and Tuesday.
There were 46 different individuals and groups helped to supply these boxes and baskets of food.
Several people took the event from the YMCA to their workplace or neighborhood and contributions were given from Mason Healthcare, Zimmer, Stonehenge, and the Alternative Learning Center.
Groups within the YMCA were also responsible for supplying some of the meals: Movers and Groovers Water Aerobics Class, the Welcome Center staff, and Kids’ Club all worked together to give dinners.
For Christmas, the YMCA will be partnering with Combined Community Services to provide gifts for seven families with a total of 21 children.
YMCA members and participants will have an opportunity, starting Nov. 25, to choose a gift tag off of the tree in the lobby and purchase it for the family.
People who have any questions about these programs ca visit www.kcymca.org or contact Summer Zimmer at 574-269-9622.
