Mission serves 128 Thanksgiving meals with help from sponsor

Volunteers with the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission help serve Thanksgiving meals Monday afternoon. ABC Technologies helped with the purchase of numerous food items.

The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission served its annual Thanksgiving dinner this year thanks to a major sponsor.

ABC Technologies stepped up this year and sponsored the Thanksgiving meal, which was served last Monday at noon. In all, 128 meals were served.

“Because of their donation, we are able to continue our tradition of serving over 100 meals to community members who may otherwise go without,” said mission volunteer and board member Jill Kanwischer. “This year’s menu will be especially memorable thanks to the groceries they helped us secure.” 

Kanwischer said the menu that ABC Technologies was able to help the mission secure included six 20-plus pound turkeys, six large hams, 50 pounds of carrots, 100 pounds of potatoes, five boxes of beef broth, one case of baked beans, seven large apple pies and seven large pumpkin pies.

“Their support makes it possible for us to share not only a hot meal but also the spirit of care and belonging that defines this special holiday,” said Kanwischer. “We are deeply thankful for their partnership and commitment to our community. They are an amazing sponsor for us!”

Mission president Tim McAllister said there were a lot of people who came out to volunteer to help cook and serve the meal and clean up afterward.

“It’s exciting,” said McAllister. “We got it done. A lot of people showed up to make my job easy.”

McAllister joked that “I’m not tired” thanks to all the support the mission received.

“People stepped up and got it done. Everyone did something,” he said. “I’m thankful for that.”

The mission expected a big crowd Monday afternoon for Thanksgiving and people wanted to be treated to a good meal. They had numerous take-out meals as well, including 40 to a local residential housing support location.

“We are truly grateful to ABC Technologies for sponsoring this special event and helping us provide a warm meal and fellowship to those in need,” said McAllister.

The volunteer-run mission puts a lot of effort into making food not only on holidays, but every day they are open, McAllister stated. It is a way to “bless the people,” he added.

“Everyone is coming to enjoy themselves,” McAllister added Monday afternoon.

The mission needs more volunteers to help them operate, with cleaners, dishwashers, maintenance people and event organizers required. For details, contact Kanwischer at aburgmission@yahoo.com or call the mission at 298 Victoria St. S. 

Hot meals are served Monday-Friday at 12 noon.

The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission is located at 298 Victoria St. S.

Mission serves 128 Thanksgiving meals with help from sponsor

By Ron Giofu