LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisvillians are answering the call to help their neighbors this Thanksgiving.
For about a decade now, Louisville’s Community Connections Group has helped provide Thanksgiving meals to local families needing assistance. This year, the group is giving away frozen turkeys and chicken to 175 families.
“Since COVID, the need has grown,” said Community Connections Group President James Linton. “We have more people in need now than ever before.”
Linton said while this food will help more than 100 families, during the sign-up period, about 400 hopeful families put their names on the list.
“It’s always first come, first serve,” said Linton. “And our board members always ask them, ‘Are you just looking for some free food or do you really need it?’ Because we want to service the people who need the services the most.”
Linton hopes others will step up to make sure their neighbors and community members have something on the table for Thanksgiving.
“We’re hoping that other groups will duplicate our efforts so nobody goes without a great holiday and a great Thanksgiving,” he said.
Louisville’s Community Connections Group delivers frozen turkeys and chicken to community members ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. (WDRB image)
Linton said the 75 boxes of chicken came from Tyson in Corydon, Indiana, and the turkeys were sponsored by Winton and Hiestand Law Group in Louisville.
“We want to be a part of the community,” said Megan Stovall, a legal assistant with Winton and Hiestand. “We want to rally with the community because we are working with them directly in our day to day.”
Earlier this week, the Dare to Care food bank in Louisville said it’s seeing a greater demand ahead of the holiday season. Friday, students at Carter Traditional Elementary School created Thanksgiving baskets for families after collecting more than 2,000 canned goods and other food items.
“People are having to make choices between paying their mortgage and food. Medication or food,” said Linton.
Louisville’s Community Connections Group delivers frozen turkeys and chicken to community members ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. (WDRB image)
Friday afternoon, he and several others delivered the frozen turkeys and chicken to Community Connections Group board members to take the food to families in Louisville neighborhoods including Portland, Newburg, Russell, and others.
“If everybody does a little something, nobody has to do a lot,” said Linton.
He’s encouraging people to reach out to those in the community.
“Get involved somewhere. You don’t have to help this group. There’s a lot of people in need. Check on your neighbors, check on your family, check on the seniors. And check on these babies because it’s important that we make a difference in their lives,” he said.
Community Connections Group is also working to help families during Christmas by providing gifts. The past three years, the group has “adopted” 100 families for the holiday.
“As long as we have that giving spirit we can make a difference in this city and in this community,” said Linton.
To get involved with the Christmas giveaway, click here.
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