A local non-profit worked to deliver more than 4,000 meals to low-income seniors around Southeastern Wisconsin this Thanksgiving.
The group Community Projects for Seniors relies almost entirely on volunteers.
On Thursday morning, many of those volunteers packed the Cultural Center at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church near 92nd and Congress to cook and plate 4,261 Thanksgiving dinners.
Once the food was prepared, other volunteers worked to deliver the meals to seniors who live in low-income housing in 50 different cities across the area.
Colleen Hansen, of Community Projects for Seniors, said it takes about 400 people to make the operation happen.
She said many seniors are often alone on Thanksgiving and appreciate the food, as well as someone to chat with.
"Taking the time to show someone that you care, and to talk to them, is even more important than the food," Hansen said.
Nicholas Ganos, of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, said the parish opted to let Community Projects for Seniors use its Cultural Center for free.
"It's all about paying it forward, and being thankful for what we have," Ganos said. "There are some people that don't have as much as others do."
Community Projects for Seniors organizes small gatherings for the elderly throughout the year to promote social interaction. Hansen said the group does its free meal delivery service not just on Thanksgiving, but also on the Christmas and Easter Holidays.
