People’s City Mission gives out 500 free Thanksgiving meals to Lincoln families

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On Saturday, volunteers with the People’s City Mission handed out hundreds of free Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

The meals included everything from cranberry sauce to stuffing, mashed potatoes and a choice of ham or turkey.

Bryan Davis, vice president of operations, said the number of people who have come to get a Thanksgiving meal has gone up by about 15% over the last few years.

Davis said this year was also a little different because they held a drive-thru for everyone to pick up meals right from their cars.

He said they saw people from all different walks of life stop by.

“We see a lot of people who have, for instance, just gotten out of the hospital, or maybe somebody who recently lost their job or had some kind of setback,” he said. “And everybody just expresses a lot of thanks for what we provide for them today.”

One volunteer, Sadio Fenner, is a husker athlete who runs cross country and track and field.

He said one of the reasons he wanted to come to Nebraska was for all the opportunities to give back to the community.

“A lot of people think that the holidays are just a really happy time for a lot of people, and unfortunately that’s not always the case,” he said. “To be able to out a smile on some people’s face and some food in their cars is something that’s really special and I think it’s something that everybody should experience.”

Fenner also had his fraternity join him in volunteering. They even helped change a flat tire for one of the cars in line.

Davis said one of his favorite parts of the event is bringing the people of Lincoln together to pitch in for those who need it.

“It’s important because not everybody has the resources it would take to put on a meal like this,” he said. “So, when we offer this to everyone, it’s a way for us all to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving together.”

The mission will be holding its own Thanksgiving meal starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, at the shelter off West O Street.

Officials say it’s not just for the homeless, but anyone who could use a meal on the holiday.