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Here's how Hope Ministries is preparing to serve 3,000 Thanksgiving meals

Kitchen staff are asking the community to donate in-demand food items, like ground meat and dinner rolls, ahead of the holiday.

DES MOINES, Iowa — With the Thanksgiving holiday mere days away, community organizations across the metro are working to get food on the table for those who need it. 

Hope Ministries of Des Moines provides fresh, warm meals to those in need 365 days a year. But the greatest day of need always falls on Thanksgiving Day.

"We have seen over the years that however many Thanksgiving meals we can provide, we fill up," Chief Development Officer Kathy Coady told Local 5. 

Over 100 volunteers from Hope Ministries will come together on Thanksgiving morning to cook and deliver warm holiday meals. They offer a full spread to anyone in the community who needs some extra food to feed family and friends. 

Their goal for this year: 3,300 Thanksgiving meals.

Dedicated volunteers and staff members have been hard at work at this week cooking up around 200 turkeys.

"It’s going to take all of us in order to make sure that we can provide a healthy, wholesome, uplifting meal that’s also pleasing to the palate," said Louis Dawson, who serves as the food services supervisor for Hope Ministries. 

Hope Ministries is privately funded, relying on monetary and food donations from the community to help others. But this year, a new challenge has presented itself.

"We are seeing an increase in the number of people who are hurting and hungry," Dawson said. "We have people who are living from paycheck to paycheck, who have to come here and eat in order to supplement their food income."

While the demand for food has continued to grow, donations have dropped. Adding to the problem, food costs have also increased, according to Coady.

The group is already at capacity for in-home delivery, but expects some individuals to come on-site for a meal. Hope Ministries is asking the public to open up their pantries and help supply key items.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, food donations can be dropped off at 1310 6th Ave in Des Moines. 

The items of greatest need are as follows:

  • Ready to serve dinner rolls
  • Cookies
  • Ground meat (Beef, pork loin, bacon, ham
  • Dairy (Milk, cheese, eggs, butter)
  • Cans of green beans and mixed vegetables
  • Condiments and salad dressing 

Kitchen staff all agree that food insecurity in Des Moines is at an all-time high. But thanks to the help and heart of community members, those who are food insecure will be able to enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal. 

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