(La Porte, IN) - Up to 500 take home Thanksgiving dinners were given Monday night at the LaPorte Salvation Army forced to cancel its traditional dine-in meals for the holiday because of coronavirus.
About half of the 40 drivers showing up early waited on the shoulder of Indiana 4 before inching their way into the parking lot once the homemade food started being served at the front doors. Drivers remained in their vehicles to accept their dinners in take-home containers. The line remained just as long one hour later because of incoming vehicles keeping pace with those leaving.
Robert Schumaker said he missed the family-like atmosphere of sharing a dining room with others from the community, but he was just as grateful. He took home seven meals of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green bean casserole along with cake for his wife, children and parents. “The dine-in for Thanksgiving would be nice but with COVID I understand,” Schumaker said.
Debra Koontz pulled away with two meals she planned sharing with a homeless friend. “We’re going to sit in the car and have Thanksgiving dinner,” she said.
La Porte Salvation Army Captain Chris Karlin said he and two other volunteers in the kitchen began cooking about 5 a.m. Karlin cooked 120 turkey roasts on an outdoor smoker and cut the meat into slices. About a dozen other helpers scooped food out of aluminum trays into take home containers and passed them out. “Even with COVID, we’re still working together to feed the community,” Karlin said.
Judy Hensell helped make the chocolate, cherry and pumpkin dump cakes. The filling poured at the bottom of each pan was covered by the batter and baked. Bracing for greater community response this year, Hensell said twice as much food was prepared than what was served dine-in last year. “It’s a little bit more work but it’s worth it,” she said.
Talon Sanford, 9, and his grandmother came First Church of God to assist with the cause. He especially found joy helping people who otherwise might not have a Thanksgiving meal this year. “I like helping out,” Sanford said.
