Holiday meal offers connections
About four decades ago, a group of Owatonna residents came together to create a community Thanksgiving and Christmas event with one aim: to make sure no one would go hungry, or without company, during the holidays.
After 10 years, the event outgrew the Knights of Columbus Hall on Elm Avenue and moved to its current home at the Owatonna VFW.
“It's a way to make sure no one is alone on Thanksgiving or Christmas, and they get a good home cooked meal,” said Dean Schuette, one of the holiday meal organizers.
Schuette explained the meals, with all the fixings, will be served in person between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with a free will offering welcome.
“We’re very grateful for that but don’t expect anything,” he said.
In addition to those who can make it in person, there is also an option to have the meals delivered, with meal orders beginning at 7 a.m.
For Thanksgiving, Schuette said it's typical to have 500 or more meals delivered with another 500 served in person.
“We’re just trying to connect with all of the community to make sure everybody is going to see somebody and talk to them,” he said, explaining volunteer drivers are also encouraged to talk to the people when they make their deliveries.
Schuette said attendees come from all walks of life, from those who are single to empty nesters like Schuette and everyone in between.
“It's really a broad mix of people who come and take advantage of it,” he said.
Schuette said between 100 and 150 volunteers help to make the event happen each year.
“The community has been very gracious in terms of volunteering for it,” he said.
Schuette, who is in his first year on the organizing committee, said he has been volunteering for about seven years, after he and his wife became empty nesters.
“We always heard about this event, but didn’t have time to get to it because we had family,” Schuette said.
Now with more time on his hands, Schuette said he is happy to be able to give back.
“We want to make sure no one is left alone during the holidays,” he said.