Organizations team up to provide Thanksgiving meals

MT. PLEASANT — Harlan Elementary partnered with Hy-Vee and the local Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge chapter to provide hot Thanksgiving meals for six families.

After hearing about a variety of hardships, Moose President David Boyd and Harlan Elementary Principal Michael Gossen wanted to find a way to help over the Thanksgiving holiday.

With the help of Mt. Pleasant Hy-Vee store manager Willie Amos, they created a Thanksgiving meal package with all the fixings

“It really is the whole complete meal,” Gossen said. “There is a turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, stuffing, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, cranberry sauce, corn, and the whole nine yards.”

“Once we knew the cost we reach out to City Hope Foundation’s Executive Director Matt Shinn and he decided to partner with us, too,” Gossen said.

When the group reached out to the families, the gratitude was overwhelming.

“Almost every conversation ended in tears,” Gossen said. “They were just so thankful that we would come together and do that for them.”

Volunteers from Harlan Elementary and the Moose Lodge delivered the meals Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, this week.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com