SIKESTON — Rising costs of groceries and supply chain issues are among the reasons organizers of the annual Sikeston Community Thanksgiving meal say donations and volunteers are needed more now than ever.
“Donations have been slow, but nothing like this,” said Marlene Stevens, coordinator of the annual event, which last year provided 672 to-go meals to those in need in the Sikeston community.
Market research firm Information Resources Inc., or IRI, predicted a Thanksgiving meal will cost about 13.5% more compared to last year, based on how retail prices in the four weeks through Oct. 16 compared to the same period in 2021. IRI measured items including turkey and other meat, baking essentials, beverages and popular side dishes in its list of Thanksgiving foods. Turkeys are expected to cost 23% more than last year, according to recent report from USDA Economic Research Service.
Stevens said she knows increasing costs and the economy are hitting everyone hard again this year, but she appreciates any donations and volunteering anyone can do this year to help provide a Thanksgiving day meal to local senior citizens in need.
“The meals are important to senior citizens,” she said, adding meals will be available for pickup only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving day at the VFW Hall in Sikeston.
Stevens said this year she’s run into several longtime donor contacts having retired, and as a result, her donation request letters and calls aren’t being returned. She’s making additional phone calls to try and working to secure donations that have otherwise been provided year after year.
Stevens said she knows there’s people who are planning to donate, but she needs to hear from them as soon as possible.
“We need canned goods such as green beans, corn, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce,” Stevens said, adding turkeys are also needed.
Gift cards to Walmart and Food Giant are also needed to purchase paper products and other items noted donated, she said.
Cakes, pies and other desserts are needed the day before or the morning of Thanksgiving and may be delivered to the VFW building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 23 or before 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving day, which is Nov. 24.
Even though meals are distributed only as “to-go plates,” volunteers are still needed to help prep for the meal and also the day of the event, Stevens said.
The number of volunteers on Thanksgiving day has dwindled over the years, but they are still needed, she said.
“I think they think: ‘They don’t deliver meals anymore so they don’t need as much help,’” Stevens said.
Individuals are still needed to help open cans, get food cooking, fill those plates, fill the sacks and carry the sacks to the vehicles.
Stevens said she is appreciative of those volunteers who care enough to give up a portion of their holiday to give someone else the opportunity to enjoy a traditional meal they otherwise would not have. Some do continue to show up year after year to be a part of this endeavor, she said.
“We couldn’t serve this community and the surrounding area without their help,” Stevens said. “They are awesome people that I call ‘Angels in street clothes.’”
Volunteers to help with prep work are needed from 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 until about 1 p.m.; from 9 a.m. until prep work finish Wednesday, Nov. 23; and 8 a.m. to about 2 p.m. Thanksgiving day.
Stevens, who is in her 19th year organizing the meal, said Sikeston resident Beverly Baker started this meal in her kitchen many years ago, feeding 75 people.
“Several different venues and many years down the road, it’s grown to be what it is today,” Stevens said. “God is in the details. … He never lets us down. Our goal is to see that no senior goes without the traditional Thanksgiving meal, but no one is turned away.”
To volunteer or make donations, contact Stevens at (573) 471-8697. Gift cards and canned goods may be dropped off at 212 Kate Drive in Sikeston, or goods can be picked up by calling Stevens.