OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – With rising food costs and supply shortages, some organizations that serve Thanksgiving meals haven’t been impacted, but others have had to make adjustments to cover costs.
At Father Carr’s Place 2B in Oshkosh, executive director John Nieman says food is already stockpiling in the pantry for their annual Thanksgiving dinner.
“So we have the dessert already taken care of. Turkeys are coming in,” Nieman said.
Because of COVID, Father Carr’s did a drive-thru style dinner last year.
This year will be the same.
“Last year we actually served 900 meals through our drive-thru and we’re expecting the same this year so we’re making plans,” Nieman said.
Father Carr’s in Oshkosh has already had a few major donors agree to donate food for this year’s dinner.
“Last year we actually received so many turkeys that we gave them out at Christmas also. I was worried about this year and I’ve already had three major donors come forward and say we’re still donating so we have not seen a problem with our donors at all with the basics that we need,” Nieman said.
Jessica Zeitler is the president of the Christian Outreach Ecumenical Thanksgiving Ministry, a group that typically serves Thanksgiving meals to those in need at Lambeau Field.
The group started delivering them last year due to COVID.
She says this year has been an adjustment.
“We had to modify our menu a little bit due to supply chain issues, also raise a few more funds, more than normal,” Zeitler said.
Zeitler says the organization had to raise about 3,000 dollars more this year to keep up with costs.
“Part of it is that we increased the amount of meals that we are serving to the public. Because we figured there’s a need, so let’s see if we can do that. Part of it obviously is the supply,” Zeitler said.
The ministry plans to deliver 2500 meals this year.
Zeitler says people in the area can sign up to have a Thanksgiving meal delivered starting November 1st.
