Letter: Planning for Sikeston Community Thanksgiving Dinner begins

Dear Editor:

Time to start planning for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. In the past, because of the coronavirus, we made major changes to the meal. We will be following those changes again this year in order to keep our volunteers and those we serve safe from the new variations, since it’s reared its ugly head again.

This is my 20th year promoting this meal. I feel blessed to have had such as great team of volunteers to make it happen, but last year we could have used more, and I am hoping there will be enough this year. It will, no doubt, be my last year. I want to go out with a bang!

Last year we served 807 meals to-go. The process went smoothly. Those meals were cooked, served up and handed out by volunteers who cared 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. These volunteers show up year after year to be a part of this endeavor. We couldn’t serve this community and the surrounding area without their help. They are awesome people that I call “Angels in street clothes.”

There are so many wonderful volunteers who participate in this effort: those who donate, those who help prepare, those who serve, those who deliver, those who help clan up. Once someone gets involved, they usually continue to help. It’s a good way to fellowship and the good feeling you get from giving lasts long after the meal is over. So if you’re looking for a way to give to your community, come join us, please.

We work from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21 until about 1 p.m., and on Wednesday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. until we finish up the prep. On Thursday, Thanksgiving day, we start early but need volunteers at about 8 a.m. We are usually finished by 2 p.m.

Our efforts start with this a letter, a lot of planning, list making, shopping and preparing. In the past, we would knock on doors in senior housing. We haven’t done that the past few years. We won’t be serving people inside the VFW building either. All meals will be to-go and must be picked up. There will be no meals delivered. So, if you know someone who needs a meal and doesn’t have the means to come get it, please come get it for them. Please, please be an “Angel in street clothes” to someone this Thanksgiving. The to-go meals may be picked up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving day.

All of us who participate have a passion to serve those who are forgotten, outlived friends, have no family or just find themselves alone on this traditional holiday, for whatever reason. 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. 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 meet that goal, here is how you can help: we need volunteers to help prepare and serve up the to-go meals. We do no solicit cash, but rather ask for Walmart of Food Giant gift cards and food items, which include, but are not limited to: institutional-sized cans of green beans, corn, yams, instant mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and turkeys, keeping in mind, if you are donating a turkey, we need it far enough in advance to thaw it out. Cakes, pies and other desserts are needed the day before or the morning of Thanksgiving and may be delivered to the VFW building.

If you are a home health aide, please come pick up a meal for you and your client.

Please do not call the VFW. If you want to make a donation, you can contact Marlene Stevens at (573) 471-8697.

Gift cards may be sent to or dropped off at Marlene Stevens, 212 Kate Drive, Sikeston, MO 63801. Canned goods may be dropped off at that address or you may call and we will pick them up. Please keep in mind, if you are mailing gift cards, our mail has been compromised and it takes longer to be delivered.

The past few years, in addition to other worries, there was the fact we experienced shortages. A lot of grocery shelves have been empty so please get your donations in early so that we can avoid possible empty shelves.

Your help in our efforts to feed our senior citizens on Thanksgiving day is deeply appreciated. May God bless you generously for any consideration you may give this cause. Each year the costs increase, but this community always steps up to the plate and answers our call for help. … Makes me proud to live here.

Respectfully,

Marlene Stevens, coordinator

Community Thanksgiving Dinner