Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels
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27 Nov 2019 |
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 White Bear Lake
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THANKSGIVING MEALS ON WHEELS
Volunteer Opportunities
Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels is in its 49th year. On November 28, 2019, we’ll be preparing
19-20,000 meals and delivering to 4,000 families throughout Minneapolis/St. Paul. We could not serve this many families in need without the support of companies and volunteers, who help prepare and deliver the Thanksgiving meals.
Volunteers are needed on Thanksgiving morning to help package food or help with delivering meals.
Interested volunteers should come to Cretin Derham Hall High School at 550 South Albert Street, St. Paul, MN 55116 (near Randolph & Hamline). Packaging food will occur between 2:30 and 7:00 AM. If you are packaging please park in the Cretin Derham Hall Watson Parking lot off Hamline and enter through the backdoor. Drivers should come to Cretin Derham Hall High School at 7:00 AM and park on the Albert side of the school. Upon entering the building by the gym, coffee, orange juice, and rolls will be available. When drivers come to the routing room, they will choose Minneapolis or St. Paul to deliver. We request 2 people to a vehicle. Kids are most welcome. Routing opens at approximately 7:30 AM and drivers will be on the road by 8:00 AM. The whole program and delivery should be done by 11:00 AM.
Additional volunteer opportunities are available. Call Bill Foussard at 651-271-5985 for questions or email: bill@whitebearcountryinn.com.
No sign up needed, just show up!
WHAT DOES THANKSGIVING MEALS ON WHEELS DO?
Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels, Inc. prepares and packages a traditional, healthy meal consisting of turkey, dressing, potatoes, peas, corn, cranberries, rolls, pumpkin pie and milk for each family or individual in need. We then deliver those meals on the morning of Thanksgiving Day to their doorstep. Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels is recognized by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce and is registered with the State of Minnesota and Minnesota Charities Review Council.
HOW WAS THANKSGIVING MEALS ON WHEELS STARTED?
Bill Foussard and Barb Aslesen knew what it was like to have an enjoyable Thanksgiving meal with their families. Both thought we need to think of ways we can help families and children, not as fortunate to have the same experience. Thus, the idea for Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels originated. The organization has grown from preparing 24 meals for 3 families on Thanksgiving Day in 1970, to preparing 17,000 meals delivered to over 4,000 families last year.
WHO SUPPORTS THANKSGIVING MEALS ON WHEELS?
Bill Foussard and team contact various companies requesting food and/or financial donations for our Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels project. Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels is run solely by an all-volunteer staff and entirely by food donations and financial contributions used to help pay for food items not otherwise provided by our corporate contributors. Again, this year Cretin Derham High School is graciously donating the use of their kitchen and cafeteria to prepare and distribute the food. Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Your Tax-Deductible Contributions may be sent to Alliance Bank, 55 East 5th Street, Suite 115, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101, in care of Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels, Inc. or to Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels 1060 S. Prior Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116
WHO FINDS THE FAMILIES "IN NEED" FOR OUR DINNERS?
Barb Aslesen and team secure the names of those families in need. We work closely with numerous Twin Cities’ social service agencies and churches including South Side Services, Ramsey County Public Health Services, Union Gospel Mission, St. Olaf Church and Trinity Mission. Each family is contacted by volunteers from our organization to determine the family size for our dinners and to verify delivery information. We also set up a phone bank each year where those in need can call and request meals. We have an all-volunteer staff answering the phones.
VOLUNTEERS - HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Bill and Barb work together with 2,500 volunteers that prepare, package and deliver the meals on the morning of Thanksgiving Day. If you would like to assist with the assembly of food boxes, food preparation or clean up, please arrive at Cretin Derham High School, 550 South Albert, (South Entrance) St. Paul, at 2:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels also needs DRIVERS to deliver the meals to each family. All volunteer drivers should arrive at Cretin Derham High School (Northwest Entrance) at 7:00 a.m. (we request 2 adults per vehicle, please bring the entire family) Delivery routes will be distributed at 8:00 a.m. Meals will then be loaded in vehicles and deliveries will begin. Fresh rolls, coffee and orange juice will be provided for our many volunteers.
Thank you for your support of this special project, now in its 49th year. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.