By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) announced it has finalized the new plan for its annual Thanksgiving banquet.
“In an abundance of caution, care and concern for everyone involved in this amazing event, including our guests, staff, community volunteers, and all those who come to eat and enjoy fellowship on Thanksgiving, we have worked through the necessary details in order to continue this tradition,” said Mel Trotter Ministries VP of Communication and Advancement Beth Fisher.
MTM’s annual Turkey Drop, a yearly event taking place the week before Thanksgiving at Celebration North, 2121 Celebration Dr. NE, and Celebration 1506 Eastport Dr. SE, whereby the community drops off either frozen turkeys or $15 toward the purchase of one, is set for Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Last year, more than 1,600 turkeys were donated; however, this year—the need and thus, the goal, is even greater.
“We have already had requests from local pantries in excess of 2,050 turkeys, along with sides,” said MTM Chief Operating Officer Jeff Dashner. “We are already seeing a significant uptick in the number of meals needed for Thanksgiving Day.”
The goal this year is 2,100 turkeys to be donated during Turkey Drop. Those turkeys, along with complete traditional side items, will then be used in assembled food boxes which will be distributed to local West Michigan food pantries. Anyone who would have normally gone to DeVos Place for the annual banquet will now be able to receive a prepackaged Thanksgiving meal via any participating pantry.
“We are grateful to still be able to serve those in our community who would otherwise not be able to partake in a Thanksgiving meal,” said Mel Trotter Ministries President and CEO Dennis Van Kampen. “With the banquet in the past, we fed 1,500 people. These new necessary changes will allow us to feed 10,000 hungry people. We are asking you to please join and help do that this year. The need in our community is greater than ever.”
“The thought of anyone who would normally have come to DeVos Place to celebrate and be together during our annual Thanksgiving Banquet, not being able to do that this year due to Covid was quite frankly, unacceptable. We worked hard to find a way,” Van Kampen said.
That way also includes a Thanksgiving Day meal at Mel Trotter Ministries for all those experiencing homelessness. MTM expects to serve close to 600 meals on Thanksgiving Day. The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hundreds of community volunteers who look forward to volunteering at the event each year have been notified of an alternative way to continue their tradition of serving those less fortunate.
“We sent a communication to our incredible community of volunteers encouraging them to reach out to a neighbor or someone they know who might be struggling a little more than normal this year—someone who might not have loved ones with whom to gather—and bless them by bringing a meal or a pie to brighten their day,” Fisher said. “Additionally, our volunteers are encouraged to let the guests at our on-site Thanksgiving Day meal know they are thinking of them by sending in thoughtful video messages throughout the day and using the hashtag #MTMThanksgiving on social media.”
To become a Thanksgiving Day sponsor this year, please visit: www.meltrotter.org/sponsor
To donate community turkeys this year, please visit: www.meltrotter.org/turkeydrop
For a list of local food pantries and distribution partners, please visit: www.meltrotter.org/thanksgiving
