You are here

Lewis Family McDonald’s prepares to feed 3,200

Volunteers needed for event on Nov. 23 at Civic Center, LIma

As Thanksgiving approaches, Lewis Family McDonald’s is finishing its preparations for its annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner.

The dinner, originally started in 1989 by the Chester Carey Family, is now in its 13th year under the Lewis Family. The dinner will be held on Thursday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lima Veteran’s Memorial Civic and Convention Center.

For volunteer or donation information, please visit www.LewisFamilyMcDonalds.com/community or call (419) 225-5916.
 
“We understand the importance of having a place for people to eat and fellowship on a special day like Thanksgiving,” says local McDonald’s owner, Jerry Lewis. “Year after year, we are amazed with the community support we receive.”
 
The dinner is a traditional Thanksgiving meal—turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more. “We generally plan for around 3200 guests,” says Lewis.

More than 800 pounds of turkey, 800 pounds of mashed potatoes, 540 pounds of stuffing, 300 pounds of gravy, more than 200 pies, and 24 pounds of whipped cream will be prepared that day.
 
“Guests join us because they are not able to prepare a meal that day, do not have relatives in town this year, or simply want to fellowship with others in the community that day. We become a family that day,” says Lewis.
 
In addition to the dinner, there will be a clothing giveaway organized by Only Believe Ministries in Botkins. Guests will be able to take with them any needed clothing items, including pants, shirts, shoes, coats, and hats. Guests will again have the opportunity to take home hygiene products donated by D&D Ingredient Distributors.
 
As in years past, each guest will be able to take home bags of groceries in addition to the hot meal they receive. The grocery giveaway is made possible through the generous donations of many local organizations including the Boy Scouts of Allen County, Childers Media Group, and Save-A-Lot Food Stores.

“Thanks to our community partners, we’re able to provide enough food for several meals beyond the meal they receive that day,” says Lewis.
 
Childers Media Group and Save-A-Lot Food Stores have teamed up again this year for a Cram the Van event to collect groceries for the Thanksgiving Day Dinner.

Various Childers Media Group radio stations will be at two Save-A-Lot Food Stores in Lima on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 20 and 21. Customers will have the option to add a bag of groceries to their bill which will be donated at the Thanksgiving Day Dinner.
 
“Our community’s willingness to give up their own Thanksgiving to serve one another is simply amazing,” says Lewis.

The community partners that help make the Thanksgiving Day Dinner possible include: Childers Media Group, Save-A-Lot Food Stores, The Boy Scouts of Allen County, Coca-Cola, Only Believe Ministries, RightWay Food Service, Bob Evans, Lima Allen County Veteran’s Memorial and Civic Convention Center, D&D Ingredient Distributors, and Miller’s Textile Service.

 

Section: 

Stories Posted This Week