Once again, St. Augustine Parish and Hunger Center will provide a full Thanksgiving meal to anyone in need or to those who live alone. This is the 49th year for the holiday meal program.
Parish and Hunger Center officials expect to prepare and distribute more than 20,000 meals. However, there is a need for volunteers to assist with the program.
On Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25, the Hunger Center will serve dinner at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 2486 W. 14th St., in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. Those interested in serving on site are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m.; those interested in volunteering for meal delivery should arrive at 10 a.m. Meal service will end at 1:30 p.m.
In addition to serving those in parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland, requests for Thanksgiving meal deliveries were made by 28 different hunger centers and nonprofit agencies that support the homeless and homebound in surrounding counties.
Volunteer opportunities are also available prior to Thanksgiving. Four meal preparation locations are seeking volunteer help on Nov. 13: St. Augustine Hunger Center (Tremont), Bishop Cosgrove Center (Cleveland), Camp Christopher (Bath) and St. Martin de Porres Family Center (Cleveland). During this advance prep day, volunteers will help pack and prep meals in two-hour shifts.
“We have a critical need for volunteers this Thanksgiving,” said Samantha Mealy, senior director of advancement for Catholic Charities. “The need is great and our community is in need of people to volunteer in order to serve as many as possible this Thanksgiving.”
Anyone interested in in volunteering for Nov. 13 or Thanksgiving Day is asked to preregister by email at holidays@ccdocle.org, by calling 216-377-3725 or online at ccdocle.org/thanksgiving.
Those who are requesting a meal delivery or who need a ride to a facility providing a Thanksgiving meal should call St. Augustine at 216-781-5530.
Monetary donations to support this Thanksgiving tradition can be delivered or mailed to St. Augustine Church, 2486 W. 14th St., Cleveland, 44113.