Donations, volunteers sought for Thanksgiving program
CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County United Way wants to help 400 St. Joseph County families have a happy Thanksgiving, and is looking to the public for help to make that goal reality.
Kelly Hostetler, executive director of St. Joseph County United Way, said they are looking for donations and for help for its “Thanksgiving for All” annual food drive.
Donations are being accepted at the St. Joseph County United Way Centreville office at 662 E. Main St., or at display boxes throughout the community. The food distribution will take place Monday, Nov. 20.
Last year, the program cost the United Way approximately $13,000. This year with food price increases, costs are expected to exceed $22,000.
The drive is for those who would like to cook their own meal as part of family tradition and camaraderie.
“There are organizations in St. Joseph County who are providing cooked meals which is wonderful and we are happy to provide that list,” Hostetler said. “Some families, however, would like to cook their own meal at home, continuing family traditions such as carving the turkey, and we want to help them with that by providing them a turkey, with all the trimmings they can serve in their home.”
Turkey donations are also being accepted in memory of Kevin Doney, who Hostetler said was passionate about giving.
“I would get calls from Kevin asking me to help get a box of food to families he would hear of that needed help,” she said. Doney died earlier this fall, but Hostetler said his giving spirit “will never be forgotten.”
Brewhouse BBQ will be at the Thanksgiving for All event, smoking 50 turkeys in Doney’s memory for families who may not have the resources to cook. Doney was a developer in the Brewhouse. Brewhouse is also providing meals to the volunteers who work that day.
The program started years ago, Hostetler said, when St. Joseph County United Way was approached by United Steelworkers and International Paper in Three Rivers asking to help coordinate a food drive. The food drive would be for Thanksgiving food boxes.
“There is help available at Christmas, but we saw a need for families at Thanksgiving,” Hostetler said. International Paper officials said they would give each of their employees a frozen turkey at Thanksgiving.
Some employees would choose to donate them to United Way for families in need. The project started with simply building a small Thanksgiving dinner basket to be given to 25 to 50 families.
As time went on, more and more requests were received for help and contributions increased from canned drives, frozen turkey contributions and requests for us to coordinate company food drives throughout the county.
Sand Lake Party Store is also participating this year, by putting donation boxes at their cash registers, looking to raise $10,000 for the program.
Other partners include Walther Farms, Indiana Michigan Power, Corey Lake Orchards and MDHHS St. Joseph County board of directors. Sturgis Public Schools middle school agricultural class attends and helps with putting items in the box, and loading it in recipients’ cars.
Families who want to receive one of the food boxes, must complete an application, and may do so over the phone by calling the United Way office.
Local individuals and corporations interested in helping by providing canned food items or cash contributions may call the United Way office.
“We will also pick up your food items for your convenience,” Hostetler said.
Those with questions or who wish to help may call Hostetler at 269-467-9099.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Donations, volunteers sought for Thanksgiving program
