A holiday tradition: Roosevelt Mission will offer Thanskgiving meal for the needy

The Roosevelt Mission has been offering Thanksgiving for those in need for the past 27 years.

The only difference this year is that the mission is expecting to feed more people.

Mission Director Jerry French explained, "I actually will be expecting more this year. With the recession it seems like we are going to see bigger numbers. The food pantry numbers are up and that's a good indicator that the other numbers will go up too."

The free meal -- which will be offered from 5 -7 p.m. on Nov. 24 -- will include turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, dessert and drinks.

The event is open to everyone.

Over the years, French has noticed an increase in community outreach programs.

"Since I've been here we've seen a change in that other organizations in town came on-line to help us do the same thing ... because there's more of us doing it, it increases the amount of help," French explained.

The Roosevelt Mission also lends a helping hand even when it's not the holidays.

"My food pantry is up 30 percent from last year," he explained. "In fact through the end of October of this year, we've giving food to 722 families ... that's 2,235 persons."

The Mission has also given out 4,161 hot meals, fed 271 seniors, provided 403 nights of shelter and 1,127 nights of transitional shelter.

"The numbers are up," French said. "The food pantry has made a big climb. It was in the 60s and now it's in the high 80s."

The next thing on the Mission's list is its children's Christmas party schedule for 7 p.m. on Dec. 22.

"We're already wrapping presents and signing kids up for it," he said.

French also noted the Christmas party's importance.

"It's really a great night. It's kind of like the highlight of the year. I have so many memories of the last nine years I've been here ... the one I'll never forget is when a young girl came into office and handed me a $100 check."

The 10-year-old girl shared her Christmas money with the Mission.

"She handed me that check and said she wanted others kids to have it," French said. "That was the biggest thrill. ... It just brings tears to my eyes when I think of that little girl's sacrifice. If we adults had the same heart as that little girl we could get so much done."

If you would like to volunteer or donate food call 847-8110. Offerings can be mailed to Roosevelt Mission, 89 E. Vincennes St., Linton, Ind., 47441 or brought in.

Applications for the Christmas party can be filled out now through Dec. 18.