Thanksgiving in the Brazos Valley
Local volunteers step up to distribute hot holiday meals to area residents on November 25 .
By AUBREY VOGEL
Early on Thanksgiving morning , local United Way volunteers in hundreds of cars are assigned a route and begin their journey to deliver warm holiday meals to folks around the Brazos Valley . Epicures Catering and Chartwells will provide the food for Thanksgiving in the Brazos Valley , a holiday tradition started 38 years ago . “ It ’ s a traditional Thanksgiving meal ,” says Peggi Goss , vice president of community impact for United Way of the Brazos Valley , and each individually plated meal generally includes turkey and dressing , sweet potatoes , a vegetable such as green beans , and a dessert .
“ It ' s a really good way to feel good about your community on Thanksgiving morning ,” says Goss , who adds that this annual tradition is one of the biggest volunteer opportunities for the community during the holiday season . “ The volunteers are giving back to the residents ,” she says . “ They see the residents ' faces and are able to celebrate with them — folks who may or may not have other people to celebrate with .”
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While doing deliveries , Goss says volunteers spread some holiday cheer with those who may not be able to spend the holiday with families or friends . “ It ' s kind of nice to stop by and visit for a few minutes with the folks and hand them a meal that they can enjoy at their leisure on Thanksgiving Day ,” she says . “ It makes you thankful for what you have .”
With the holiday cheer filling the air , Goss encourages community members to get involved with giving all season long with opportunities with other organizations .
Individuals can give back through the Rotary Club of Aggieland on Saturday , Nov . 20 for the Thanksgiving Basket Service Project . “ The baskets can contain an uncooked meal , so that people can enjoy cooking a meal on Thanksgiving Day itself ,” Goss says . “ It ' s delivered early so that they can thaw out the turkey .”
To continue the giving spirit beyond Thanksgiving , Goss recommends signing up for a bell ringing shift to support the Salvation Army . “ We totally encourage everybody to do the bell ring ; it ' s easy to sign up for shorter shifts ,” she says . “ You can do it as a family . It ' s a good time .” IN
To volunteer to deliver meals , sign up online at VolunteerBrazosValley . org . To receive a meal , register online at uwbv . org / holiday-assistance or text BVThanksgiving to 41444 .
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