Erie Organizations Serve Up Kindness with Free Thanksgiving Dinners for All in Need
Rachel Honard, the founder of the Thanksgiving dinner, began the tradition 15 years ago as a high school student.
Rachel Honard: "It was a mission trip in Baltimore during my junior year, going into senior year. We worked at a soup kitchen down there, and I was very moved by the stories and the people that we met. I knew when we came back, we wanted to do something similar in our community to give back."
This year's dinner was served until the food ran out, with many of the attendees being local Mercyhurst University students.
Rachel Honard: "There were 50 volunteers here, and they did a food drive throughout the month of November."
Waterford Pizza partnered with Kim's Diner for their 7th year of hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner, and the owners shared that the 250 meals served were not made overnight.
Brandon Rodenbaugh, organizer said, "Tuesday we started prepping, but we did cook the turkey last night and finished everything off today."
The United Methodist Church in Girard joined this year as it was their first time hosting such a generous meal.
George Drushel, organizer said,"It's a free turkey dinner for all those who need it, and it's kind of geared towards people who do not have family in town. Anytime you have a community come together, people unite and support each other."