As students prepare for the holidays, some groups are looking ahead to Thanksgiving for another reason as they organize fundraising efforts for the holiday meal.
Today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., students from Ball State's chapter of Oxfam America and the Muncie chapter of Feed My Sheep will collect money for a community Thanksgiving meal. Students who donate a dollar or more will receive a coupon for a free ice cream cone from Grandma Betty's Ice Cream Shop.
Since Monday, the local chapter of Feed My Sheep has been collecting food donations in support of its 16th annual Thanksgiving outreach dinner on Nov. 24 at Muncie Central High School. The event is free and 1,000 meals were served last year.
If someone seeking a meal doesn't have transportation to the school, a meal will be delivered to his or her home for free, said event chairman, Micah Maxwell, a 2011 Ball State alumnus.
Maxwell became chairman of the event three years ago and will cook food this year. He said the community can get involved with the program in three ways: they can give cash donations to help cover costs, they can donate nonperishable food items for the food drive, and they can volunteer by preparing, serving and delivering food.
A bag of groceries is included with each meal given.
Organizers such as Peggy Fisher believe the event will encourage community building.
"Given the unemployment rate and the poverty rate in Delaware County, it means a lot," she said.
Started by former Muncie residents George and Teresa Huggins, Feed My Sheep reaches hundreds of Delaware County-area families each year on Thanksgiving Day, allowing the less-fortunate an opportunity to experience the holiday.
Maxwell said it costs about $4 to produce each meal. He said Feed My Sheep hopes to raise $8,000 to offset costs such as food and facility rental.
The food drive and the free Thanksgiving Day meal are ways the community can come together and be thankful, Cassie Janis, senior interpersonal communication major, said
"It symbolizes bringing people and families together in hard times to share a really nice meal," she said.
Fundraiser for community Thanksgiving meal
What: Feed My Sheep, a local nonprofit organization, is raising money for a community dinner
When: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Scramble Light
How to make a donation
Donate $1 at the Scramble Light or mail a donation to Feed My Sheep, P.O. Box 806, Muncie, IN 47308.
For more information: Visit feedmysheepmuncie.org
Phone: 866-988-7775
Email: info@feedmysheepmuncie.org
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