Home Sweet Home Ministries, Midwest Food Bank, Thrivent Financial, and several local churches are excited to invite the community to join in their efforts as a part of Big Give this September. Our goal is to distribute 2,500 meal boxes complete with turkeys to families in need this Thanksgiving.
As the holiday season approaches, we ask for the community’s help in collecting the following items for meal boxes:
• 1 Box of Stuffing Mix
• 2 Cans of Corn
• 2 Cans of Cream of Mushroom
• 1 Box of Mashed Potatoes
• 1 Envelope of Gravy (No jars, please.)
• 1 Regular Pouch of French Fried Onions
• 1 Can of Cranberry Sauce
• 1 Box of Pie Crust Mix
• 1 Can of Pumpkin Pie
• 1 Box of Macaroni & Cheese
• 1 Box of Brownie Mix
• 1 Turkey
Bloomington-Normal grocery stores are helping with the cause. Hy-Vee in Bloomington will have their back seasonal room set up with special pallet-quantity stock of the items needed to fill the boxes during the first weekend in September. Orders can be left at Hy-Vee for Midwest Food Bank to pick up. Hy-Vee will also have options to purchase $15 turkeys and other needed items at the registers.
Schnucks stores in Bloomington and Normal have the option to buy a virtual shopping bag from the register for $10. Orders can also be left at Schnucks for Midwest Food Bank to pick up. $15 turkey cards will also be available at the registers.
With the ongoing pandemic, we are thrilled to continue to offer an online shopping option with Hy-Vee. Shop online through the Hy-Vee app for Big Give items, and simply add “Hold for Big Give” in the order pickup notes. Hy-Vee will hold the order at the store for Midwest Food Bank to pick up. It’s a safe, contactless option for those wanting to contribute from the comfort of their own home.
Donations will also gladly be accepted at Midwest Food Bank located at 2031 Warehouse Drive in Normal or at Home Sweet Home Ministries located at 303 East Oakland Avenue in Bloomington.
All items collected will be used during our Give Thanks distribution in November. Anyone in need can come out to Midwest Food Bank located at 2031 Warehouse Drive in Normal on the following dates to pick up meal boxes and turkeys:
• Saturday, November 20: 10 am to 2 pm
• Monday, November 22: 4 pm to 6 pm
Last year, over 2,300 families were served during Give Thanks, impacting almost 9,000 individuals. Home Sweet Home Ministries, Midwest Food Bank, and Thrivent Financial are sincerely grateful for everyone’s involvement. We cannot thank the community enough for their generosity. We look forward to helping even more families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this season.
