Members of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department regularly come to the rescue when residents are threatened in emergency situations.
During the holiday season, the local firefighters also take action — to set a table for community members who are experiencing a financial hardship.
Starting about four years ago, the department’s annual donation drive provides Thanksgiving meals to at least 100 Greensburg-area families who are in need — growing from about 50 recipients in its first year.
“We want to make sure people have a joyous holiday and nobody in the community goes hungry,” said Rick Steele, president of the fire department. “The need is definitely there, with inflation.”
Because of rising food costs, the department this year had to increase the donation it requests from the public for a holiday meal basket from $25 to $30.
Steele said donations have been forthcoming as Thanksgiving nears, but additional contributions are needed to continue to spread holiday cheer.
“We try to do 100 meals for Thanksgiving and 100 for Christmas, as well,” he said. “The funding for these dinners is acquired through the generosity of our community.”
Staff at several Greensburg Salem School District buildings — the high school, the middle school and Nicely and Hutchinson elementary schools — help to recommend families who could benefit from the meal drive.
“It is truly a community coming together to take care of our own,” said Adam Jones, high school co-principal.
With the help of the public donations, firefighters visit local stores to purchase the menu items: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving; ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls and cookies for Christmas.
Department members plan to deliver this year’s Thanksgiving dinners Nov. 22.
“From the organization of the lists from the school district, to the shopping, the packaging and then the delivering, it takes a group of dedicated individuals,” Steele said. “This is truly a team effort.”
To make a donation, visit the department website, gbgfire.com, and click on the green “Grinch” box.
Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .