The ‘Big Give’ in the Twin-Cities, serving up Thanksgiving meals next weekend

NORMAL (25News Now) - A week from now, 2,000 Thanksgiving meals will be given away in the Twin Cities in what an organizer said is a show of love for people who might not being able to afford a holiday feast.

Midwest Food Bank, Home Sweet Home Ministries, and Thrivent financial services are teaming up for the Big Give, distributing meals in a drive-thru style to the first 2,000 cars that show up on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2031 Warehouse Road in Normal.

“We’re really hoping to show the community a lot of love,” said Aimee Beam, Midwest Food Bank’s executive director.

The meals are free, and no questions will be asked. People picking up the meals need only to show a photo ID.

They’ll receive a turkey and meal box with enough food to feed eight people.

“We know that food insecurity in our community is a huge problem, and we don’t want there to be any barriers in their way of them having family gatherings and getting together, so if we can remove those barriers for 2,000 families in our communities this Thanksgiving then let’s do that,” said Beam.

“We’re hoping it will bless a lot of families. We know [food] prices have been high, and that food is a huge issue in many people’s lives,” said Beam.

She said the food is provided through food and monetary donations from the community.

In 2022, 17 million households in the U.S. were food insecure, according to the USDA.

Copyright 2023 WEEK. All rights reserved.