Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the meal distribution date.
Where there is a need there is a way. Residents of Pettis County have proven that time and time again. In this instance, Open Door Food Service Pantry and Kitchen is helping to provide Thanksgiving meals to area residents in need.
Earlier this month the St. Patrick chapel of St. Vincent de Paul announced it would be unable to host its annual Thanksgiving dinner. The event served hundreds of meals through delivery, dine in and carry out services each year.
To help meet those needs, Open Door Executive Director Amanda Davis announced the nonprofit’s efforts to help those in the community.
“Yes, we are trying to fill a void for Thanksgiving but we are not replacing what St. Pat’s has done in the past,” Davis told the Democrat via email. “Our kitchen is serving a hot to-go Thanksgiving meal from 11:30-12:30 on Thanksgiving.”
Davis explained those wanting a meal should come to the Open Door Kitchen, 417 W. Pettis St., to sign up for a meal. Sign-ups begin at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23 through Wednesday, Nov. 25. Open Door will not make meal deliveries on Thanksgiving so those who sign up must be able to pick up their meals on Thanksgiving.
Beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 23 and 24 the Open Door Food Pantry is handing out 300 first-come, first-serve Thanksgiving meal bags with all the fixing and a ham, according to Davis.
Members of Sacred Heart Schools donated 7,250 pounds of food to Open Door as part of the school’s recent food drive, according to Sacred Heart Development Director Liz Van Leer.
Davis also announced the Thrift Store is doing a $2 fill a bag sale on Black Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bags will be provided and as Davis commented, “if it fits it goes!”
