LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Dozens of volunteers spent Wednesday preparing for Thursday’s Compassionate Ministries Thanksgiving Feast, transforming the Veterans Memorial Civic Center into a hub of activity ahead of the holiday meal.
Hundreds of helping hands — young and old — filled the building as volunteers loaded bags with laundry products donated by Procter & Gamble, arranged tables and chairs, cut pies, and prepped turkey and side dishes. Organizers have planned for 3,000 meals, which include 900 pounds of turkey, 800 pounds of mashed potatoes and similar amounts of other sides.
Many who volunteered said they were motivated by pride, gratitude and a desire to serve their community.
Avery Sprunger, a Bluffton High School Campus Life volunteer, said, “I think that some of us come from situations where we had to live in these moments where we didn't have the food or the clothing or anything like that. And so for us, just to give back to the community that once gave to us means so much more.”
Kitchen volunteer Cooper Davis, in his first year helping with the feast, explained his role: “My job is to put the lids on the turkey so that they can put so that I can then write the write tea on the packages, so that they know that it's a turkey and put it on the tray so they can go and put in the fridge or cook it, or whatever they're doing.”
His father, Chris Davis, said serving together brings them joy. “I couldn't be more proud of him, and we just love serving together as a family,” he said.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, and meals will be served through 1 p.m. to anyone seeking a hot meal and companionship on Thanksgiving. A drive-thru line will also operate during that time, with traffic entering from Elm Street onto Elizabeth Street.
