Some local organizations are offering free food in advance of Thanksgiving, such as bags of groceries or prepared meals through delivery or in-person dining.
Western Wayne
A free Thanksgiving dinner will be presented to the Western Wayne community from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in the Lincoln Middle/High School cafeteria.
A traditional Thanksgiving feast – turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and other fixings – will be prepared by the Western Wayne School Corporation food service staff at 205 E. Parkway Drive, Cambridge City. The cafeteria is on the back side of the building.
Volunteers will assist in the cafeteria and deliver to persons living in the school district who are unable to attend.
This is the second year for the free community dinner. In 2022, more than 500 people filled the cafeteria. This year, organizers hope to serve 600 or more meals, according to Western Wayne Superintendent Andy Stover.
Planners are looking for donors to help pay for food and supplies. Volunteer groups and individuals may call the corporation office at 765-478-5375 for information. Checks can be made payable to Western Wayne Schools.
For reservations, go online to https://forms.gle/mTsefa98n4ZdVpYr5; call 765-478-5375; or use the QR code on flyers posted in the Western Wayne area.
Those who live in the Western Wayne Schools district also can receive free groceries in time for the holiday through Western Wayne Food Pantry’s monthly distribution. Grocery pickup and the clothes closet will be open from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at Cambridge City Christian Church, 106 W. Church St. For more information, call 765-478-5123.
An annual Thanksgiving luncheon for any area residents ages 55-plus, called the Terry Cox Memorial Dinner, is taking place Sunday, Nov. 12, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church. Reservations were due Nov. 6 at 765-478-4579.
Richmond
Circle U Help Center in Richmond has a Nov. 16 deadline for Wayne County residents to request a free meal delivery on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations can be made at www.circleu.org. For more information, call 765-966-1013.
Circle U also offers a food pantry from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 18 and Dec. 16 at 19 N. 13th St., Richmond. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 491, Richmond, IN 47374.
For additional Wayne County food pantries, visit the Health and Support resource page.
A version of this article appeared in the November 8 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.