When most people think of Thanksgiving, they think of the delicious food and good times had with loved ones. However, there are many other little details that make a Thanksgiving successful and enjoyable. There are also many who go year after year without getting to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with people that care about them. That’s why each year Ralph Bunche Soup Kitchen in Glasgow, Kentucky offers a free Thanksgiving meal to those that are going without in their community. This year, Ross Medical Education Center in Bowling Green wanted to be a part of making it happen.
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, Ross students took up donations for the local Thanksgiving feast. At the end of their drive, they were able to donate items like plastic spoons, forks, knives, dish detergent, Lysol wipes, trash bags, paper towel, wax paper, and aluminum foil. Jonniece Hayes, a member of the Career Services team at Ross in Bowling Green, found out about the event from members of her family that are volunteers with the Ralph Bunche Soup Kitchen. This Thanksgiving marked the seventh annual feast that the organization has celebrated.
Jonniece’s relatives, the Franklin family, and many others volunteer to serve those in need a hot meal on Thanksgiving day. The founder of the Thanksgiving Feast, Alma Glover, shared that “she was so grateful for the Ross students and faculty for the donations, and you guys have touched so many people who may not have family near or can not afford a Happy Thanksgiving.” This year, the Franklin family wore pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.
Last year the soup kitchen was able to serve a hot, delicious Thanksgiving meal to 2,034 members of their community. This year they got the chance to served 2,404 people! In addition to those that made it out to the soup kitchen, they also delivered meals to those members of the community that could not get out of the house. Anyone and everyone was welcomed to come and eat.