LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Many people have a lot to be grateful for this year as they make their Thanksgiving plans with family.
Over the weekend, Visionary Youth and The Malone Center partnered with St. Paul United Methodist Church and others for their 4th annual holiday food giveaway.
People received totes and boxes filled with food items like boxes of mac and cheese and stuffing.
And every family that came got to go home with a huge frozen turkey.
KB Mensah, executive director for Visionary Youth, said there were enough supplies to feed up to 1,000 families, as well as items to keep them warm this holiday season.
“Families are struggling right now and we want to alleviate that by giving them a basket of food with the fixings,” Mensah said. “We’re sending them off with underwear, gloves, socks, hats, and dental stuff to make sure we are taking care of our community.”
The holiday food giveaway also featured music and snacks for people to enjoy as they waited to be served.
Volunteers from UNL, both staff and students, were also present. Including Executive Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Initiative, Dr. Lawrence Chatters.
“I just really want people to think about the people who don’t have during this time, and the fact that there are things we can do to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to sit down and have a meal on Thanksgiving day.”
Volunteers from Sigma Phi Epsilon helped out by handing out over 900 turkeys.
The fraternity spent 3 weeks raising money from friends, family, and the community to reach their goal of $16,000.
Vice President of Programming for Sigma Phi Epsilon, Nathan Ray, said it was the least the organization could do for all the community and university has done for them.
“Our University has given us a lot, Lincoln as a city has given us a lot,” Ray said. “So being able to do this event and give back is a little piece of gratitude for what our city has given us.”
In addition to receiving main course items like turkeys and pies, there were also booths for people to get information on medical and dental resources.
Giving back doesn’t stop there for local organizations.
Visionary Youth said there will be another toy and food drive for Christmas. That will be held at the F Street Rec Center on Dec. 17.
For more information on upcoming events visit the organization’s website here.
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