• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Human Interest / Volunteers get ready for state’s largest free Thanksgiving day dinner

Volunteers get ready for state’s largest free Thanksgiving day dinner

November 21, 2011 By Matt Kelley

Hundreds of volunteers are preparing to serve what is believed to be the largest annual free Thanksgiving dinner in Iowa. The Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner has been held at Chuck’s Restaurant in Des Moines since 1992. Linda Tullis coordinates the event which is open to anyone.

“We’re trying to reach out to everybody that needs a meal,” Tullis said. “There are people who have no car or money to prepare a meal, so that’s what we’re here for.” The Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner got its start in 1984 when a group of churches banded together to serve dinners for people in need.

Just 60 meals were made and delivered to homes that first year. Now, more than 3,000 meals are served each year and they’re paid for entirely through donations. Tullis says they rarely have a problem raising the needed funds. “We did in years past, but I think the word has gotten out and that’s the only way we work is strictly through donations. This is how it grows and that’s why last year we were able to serve 3,300 dinners,” Tullis said.

Many of the meals will be delivered, while others will be served at the restaurant between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thanksgiving day.

The meal includes turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce, a roll and a piece of pie. Around 500 individuals, non-profit groups and businesses support the program with donations of money, food and talents.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Human Interest, News

Featured Stories

Final employee who was there at the launch of the Iowa Lottery to retire

No more USPS mail in Iowa prisons; inmates to get copies of mail

State officials warn of influx of fake prescription drugs laced with fentanyl

‘Brain-eating amoeba’ discovered in Taylor County lake

Cedar Rapids therapist’s relationship with student leads to years in prison

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Vance provides leadership for ISU defense

Knee injury sidelines Iowa’s Feuerbach

Iowa State’s McDonald has unfinished business

Hawkeyes open fall camp

Northern Iowa picked to finish fifth in MVFC race

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC