United Way of St. Joseph County has been a pillar in the community for 23 years, continuing its tradition of providing Thanksgiving support. On Tuesday, the annual Thanksgiving food box giveaway took place, with cars lined up across from the United Way building. Each recipient received a box of Thanksgiving food and a smoked turkey courtesy of Brewhouse BBQ. Executive Director Kelly Hostetler shared touching stories of kids who had never experienced a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. “I’ve had kids come up to me in the schools and tell me that they’ve never had turkey on Thanksgiving. They’ve never sat around the table and had a dinner on Thanksgiving Day with their family, and this is what it’s all about; and I want to make sure I can at least provide the boxes of food for them.”

Community Involvement and Volunteerism

The United Way of St. Joseph County was joined by numerous community members and volunteers. One such group is the Sturgis Middle School Agriculture Program, which began three years ago and has grown significantly. It started with 18 students and now has 57, many of whom were actively volunteering on Tuesday morning. Andrea Littlefield, the program’s director, expressed her pride in the students. “They always come and they work hard, and they don’t complain, and I hope they go home feeling a sense of pride in themselves in giving back to the community.”

Brewhouse BBQ's Contribution

Brewhouse BBQ has been a long-time partner of this event, smoking turkeys for those in need. The tradition started with an anonymous owner who wanted to help without seeking recognition. That owner has since passed away, but current owner Ryan Miller is committed to continuing the gesture. “It means a ton to me, because he was a very special man. He was very, very unique. It just means a ton to keep doing this, and I’ll do it until I can’t do it anymore, or until Kelly tells us we have to stop.”

Availability for Unclaimed Items

For those who signed up but were unable to pick up their turkey and food box on Tuesday, they have the opportunity to do so on Wednesday. This ensures that everyone who was expecting assistance can still receive it. The United Way's efforts to provide for the community during Thanksgiving are truly remarkable, touching the lives of many.