DECATUR, Ill. — With just five days left of their Thanksgiving Shopping Day, Northeast Community Fund is still prepared to provide Thanksgiving dinners to the community. 

Northeast Community Fund's Executive Director, Angel Lawrence told WAND News they are anticipating giving away nearly 4,000 turkeys and hams as the need in the community continues to grow. 

"We do have lines that's wrapped around our building each day that we're open." explained Lawrence. "We're serving anywhere from over 200 people [a day]. Just yesterday, we served 221 individuals. And then on Monday — because we had an extended day — we served almost 300 individuals. So the need is there, and we're trying to do our level best to close the gap to food insecurity."

Assistant Director at Northeast Community Fund, Sharon Bunch echoed that Thanksgiving can be an overly stressful time — especially for those with food insecurity. "If you have a food insecurity, it is a lot to just go to the store. And maybe you don't necessarily have a food insecurity, but go into the store to prepare that Thanksgiving meal for your family. That's a big expense. And if we can anyway take part and helping make sure everybody has what they feel is their own unique, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, That's what we're here for."

Those interested in taking part in the Thanksgiving Shopping Days just need to bring their ID and let Northeast Community Fund know how many people are in their household. "We want people to come in to be, to feel like they are in a place where they feel welcome, they feel dignified, and that we provide a service that makes them feel like they'll come back to northeast if they ever have a need." said Lawrence.

Lawrence said that their access to resources is in huge part to the WSOY Community Food Drive. "We were able to secure, all the Thanksgiving items that we need to make Thanksgiving a special time this year for all those families, individuals and families that are in need that, have food insecurities here in our city."

Northeast Community Fund Thanksgiving Shopping Days Hours

  • November 21, 22, 25, and 26 shop from 9-11:00 a.m., & from 12-2:30 p.m.
  • Or on November 23, only from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.