GREENFIELD — As organizers of the annual Feast of Plenty event prepare to serve thousands of meals on Thanksgiving, they’re looking for donations, volunteers and families who want a turkey dinner with all the fixings.
Feast of Plenty — a community outreach that serves meals to families across the county and surrounding area — is celebrating its 10th year. But so far this year, requests for meals seem low, organizers say. Families can go to the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds on Thanksgiving for a meal and fellowship or have meals along with groceries delivered to their homes.
To request a meal delivery, all families and individuals have to do is call the hotline set up for the program, and on Thanksgiving Day, an army for volunteers will set out to deliver the feast.
Anyone can make a request, no questions asked, organizer Lisa Muegge said. Drivers will deliver as many meals as requested, and if there’s room recipients can save them for later in the year. Although meal requests seem low, Muegge said she expects them to pick up in the days before Thanksgiving.
Muegge expects more than 400 volunteers to help with the event and to serve at least 2,000 meals at either the fairgrounds or through deliveries.
This year, organizers hosted a fundraiser at Mozzi’s Pizza to generate extra money for the dinner.
In addition to providing a meal, organizers will provide families and individuals with a sack of food and toiletries donated by community members.
As the day draws near, volunteers are organizing crews, donations and requests. Muegge is encouraging folks looking for a way to give back this Thanksgiving to come out to help. Even if they already have Thanksgiving plans, she can put them to work in the days before, she said.
“We turn no volunteers away,” Muegge said. “We all labor together to accomplish a common need. … If everybody does something, nobody has to do everything.”
Julie Lewis of Greenfield is volunteering for the second year and said she believes Muegge’s passion for helping others is what inspires so many to volunteer year after year. She encouraged anyone looking for a way to give back this holiday season to reach out to Feast of Plenty.
Charlottesville resident Ja-nelle Burkhart has been volunteering for Feast of Plenty for about five years and is charged with organizing those requesting a meal and helping find rides for attendees who need a way to reach the event.
Organizers hope the requests for meals will pick up in the next few days; there is always a rush closer to Thanksgiving, Burkhart said, but she reminded residents if they need a meal or know someone who might need a meal to call. The program will undoubtedly reach hundreds, she said.
“We’re able to be a blessing,” she said. “This is completely the Lord’s vision.”
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Those who need a meal on Thanksgiving but can’t make it to the fairgrounds should call 317-335-7590 to arrange a ride or delivery.
Anyone looking to volunteer or make a donation should also call that number.
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What: 10th annual Feast of Plenty
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thanksgiving, Nov. 26
Who: Meals will be served to anyone who needs one, no questions asked.
Where: Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds, 620 Apple St., Greenfield.
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