Ham dinner draws a crowd at the DECC

For the first time since 2019, the free Thanksgiving feast at the DECC was back in-person. In anticipation for record demand and sky-high turkey prices, the St. Scholastica sponsored dinner opted for a ham instead, which drew out a lively crowd. Organizers haven’t seen many of those in attendance since before the pandemic.

However, event coordinator Monica Hendrickson says the turnout was less than expected, “It’s been a little bit slower than usual. We’ve heard from a few people that they’re still not comfortable coming out into crowds because of Covid. Luckily we partner with Second Harvest Food Bank, and they’ll come and rescue all the food and get it distributed into the community tomorrow.”

Thanksgiving morning they delivered about 1,400 meals to those who are homebound- and served even more people in afternoon. “We’re just trying to help as many as we can today,” Hendrickson tells us.

Organizers thank the community and the event’s sponsors for continuing to support this 33 year tradition. They hope to bring it back next year too.