On Nov. 26, Crews of volunteers loaded up full turkey dinners in vehicles driven by other volunteers taking the meals to families in the South Suburbs who might otherwise not have full bellies on the traditional feast day of Thanksgiving.
The meal distribution was the 12th annual Thanksgiving project by Open Access of Homewood.
Geni Cutler, executive director of Suburban Access, Open Access’s parent organization, said the project has grown over the years.
“We started this program about 12 years ago serving about 100 families in our community,” she said. “Now we’re doing 1,000. We give (meals) to organizations, people who work with our clients with disabilities and families in our community.”
Open Access Director Nick Koster said an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people would enjoy the meals provided with the help of monetary and food donations from the community.
“This is the first year we haven’t had to buy any of the sides. This has all been donated by local individuals and Homewood businesses,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of generosity that this community continues to show us.”
Cutler and Koster both extended special thanks to the Homewood Business Association. Member businesses serve as collection locations for food donations each year.
“I’d like to thank everyone who collected food for us. You’ve just made it a really great holiday for our families,” Cutler said.
