The Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres is celebrating their 10th year of providing a free Thanksgiving dinner for all in the community who have no place to go or who are unable to come up with their own dinner for whatever reason.
“We are happy to continue to do this project,” said Mike Buff, the chairman of the dinner.
“This year we will be cooking 28 big turkeys, each weighing around 20 pounds,” Buff said.
As in previous years, the free Thanksgiving dinner for next week will be held in the parish hall of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church on Lee Boulevard, across from the Lehigh Walmart.
Last year, Buff said there were about 500 people who attended the event which starts at 11 a.m. and continues to 1 p.m.
“We also have ham just in case we run out of turkey,” Buff said.
Cooking for the gala dinner begins late Tuesday and continues into Wednesday in preparation for the Thursday holiday.
Buff said the Rotary appreciates the use of the Parish Hall of the church which makes the site available free of charge.
As before, the dinner is free and Buff said that free means free.
“Nobody has to pay for anything. We do this for the community and it has become very successful for us. And that is due to those who do put money in a Wishing Well, which is located to the right once you enter into the lobby. It is located away from the main table and people should not feel badly if they are unable to contribute.
“Free is the magic word, but there are those who insist that they donate money to the Wishing Well. We appreciate those that do.”
In fact, there was enough money in the fund to buy the turkeys and hams and some the other ingredients for this year’s dinner.
The doors open at 11 a.m., but if there are those in the community who want to volunteers for the first time this year, they should show up at 10 a.m. and knock on the door and we will let them in and put them to work.
All totaled, Buff said there are more than 40 volunteers who help out.
At the end of the day, when all is done and tummies are full, the Rotarians take a week or two rest break and relax and then they start planning another free dinner for Christmas Day.
Buff noted again that everyone in Lehigh is invited to the dinner next week.
The free Thanksgiving dinner has come to be habit now for many families and their friends.