It's a record for the Salvation Army. This morning, volunteers will deliver 1,500 meals to the near-homeless and home-bound elderly in the Omaha community. It's the highest number of meal requests since the Turkeyfest effort began 20 years ago.
Senior Services Director D.D. Launderville attributes the increase, over 1,429 last year, to an aging population. Many of those receiving meals have no family, locally, whom they can count on and would otherwise spend Thanksgiving alone.
Kroc Center Executive Chef Kevin Newlin is in charge of the culinary effort which involves 60 whole turkeys, 300 pounds of turkey breasts and 80 gallons of gravy among other traditional components.
Some volunteers arrived in Newlin's kitchen at 27th and Y by 5 a.m. Thursday to help finish up the cooking. By 9:30 a.m., 300 volunteers will arrive to assemble and deliver those meals within Omaha Housing Authority residences.
