Karen Bozarth and Rich Bozarth prepared pies during their time volunteering at last year’s event. InkFreeNews photo provided by the Elks Lodge 802.

By Jasmine Morehead
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The annual Thanksgiving dinner with the Elks Lodge will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 25 at the American Legion, located at 301 N. Buffalo St. in Warsaw.

There will be turkey, ham, mashed and sweet potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, rolls and pies available free of charge for anyone in the community.

The Thanksgiving dinner is not limited to those who can join in person. There is an option for delivery if unable to make it to the drive-thru event.

“Thanksgiving will once again be drive-thru and delivery only, no dine in because of COVID concerns,” Charlie Miller, the event organizer said. “They can call the Elks to ask to have a meal delivered. We like to have that all in advance so we know our numbers and know what we are looking at.”

Member of the Elks, Roger Hughes shared during last year’s drive-thru and delivery event they were able to reach a new record of meals served.

“We served 720 meals last year and that was without having a dine in at all. That was strictly carry-out and deliveries,” Hughes said.

The Thanksgiving dinner was created with the goal to help those in the community and has for the last 30 years.

“It’s to provide a service to the people in need. There’s a lot of people in the community that are 60, 70 years old and their kids are gone. It’s just them. It’s really expensive to make a proper Thanksgiving meal for two people and there’s a lot of food wasted. We don’t get just needy people,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of need in Warsaw for something like this.”

This event is made possible by the many businesses and individuals who donate to the Elks and this specific event.

“Dan Bauer from Dan’s Pies in Webster does my pies, 100 of them. Tom Otto from Middleville, Michigan, donates the turkeys every year. Usually between 30 to 50. We give the extra to Our Father’s House,” Miller said. ”Zimmer Biomet donates, Paragon, Medtronic… I know Warsaw Engineering donates, theres a lot of small businesses that donate as well.”

In addition, any and all proceeds donated during the Thanksgiving dinner goes to the Elks other event for children.

Miller said, “we donate any extra money back into the Needy Children’s Christmas fund to keep it going and to help people that way.”

If you are interested and able the Elks would appreciate your help by volunteering during or after the event.

“We need people to help clean up, wash a pot or pan. We need some bodies,” Hughes said.

For more information or to sign up for delivery call the Elks Lodge 802 in Warsaw at (574) 267-7802 after 3 p.m.

A group of volunteers are shown making homemade stuffing and gravy. From left are Tracey Minnex, Steve Phipps and Rick Sahagen. InkFreeNews photo provided by Charlie Miller.

Shown are the 100 pies donated to the Elks Thanksgiving dinner last year. InkFreeNews photo provided by the Elks Lodge 802.