Recap – LUM Community Thanksgiving Feast
750 Meals – 75 Turkeys – 112 Pies – 100 Volunteers
Despite COVID-19, the LUM Annual Community Thanksgiving Feast persisted and was a success. Many of our neighbors are struggling and need food. It is for this reason that LUM decided to re-imagine the event and make it curbside with meals packaged to go. Rather than open our doors and welcome our neighbors for a community event, LUM volunteers and staff safely greeted our guests outside and provided as many meals as they needed. Even though it was a curbside event it still brought together the entire community.
The to-go meals included roasted turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce, stuffing (AKA dressing), bread, bottled water or milk, and a slice of pie. More than 750 meals were distributed — including 78 turkeys and 112 homemade pies. Community Thanksgiving Feast takes over two months of planning, engages more than 100 volunteers and requires approximately $10,000 in donations to make it happen.
Thanks to Jess Avila, who directed the event; and Phil Butera, who headed up the kitchen crew. LUM is especially grateful to Central Presbyterian Church for use of their facilities as well as Indiana State Representative Sheila Klinker for mingling with our guests. A special thanks also to all who donated food and gave financial support. It was a magical community event and a wonderful community Thanksgiving holiday celebration for all.
To view the list of all of our Event Sponsors, including monetary donations and donations of needed supplies and food, click HERE.
To view more PHOTOS, click HERE.
Pictured L to R: Sheila Klinker, Jess Avila, Phil Butera & Wes Tillett, LUM executive director.