Thirty-three years ago, when Skip and Theresa Kaiser had the idea to afford a thanksgiving meal to those without one, they served a hundred people by going door to door to give away meals. Surely those efforts have grown exponentially, through the commitment and attention of many who care about the people in Crawford County and who are dedicated to continuing what the Kaisers started.
That original initiative has expanded and presently brings together hundreds of volunteers each year that serve over twelve hundred guests a complete hot meal free of charge on Thanksgiving Day. “You never know who will show up to help, but they always show up. There are kids, teens, and adults all working together in appreciation for each other, to do whatever needs to be done, it’s phenomenal to witness” Director Patty Crandall shares.
Crandall stepped into the role of director twelve years ago and has been a key part of managing the planning, operation, and logistics of the Crawford AuSable Thanksgiving Dinner.
The logistics of the meal are a mighty task, and planning begins in July and August for Patty with inventory, donor letters and preparing fliers at the top of the list. Sometime before Crandall came on board, the military got involved in supporting the demands of cooking the substantial number of meals. To this day all the food is prepared on base at the airfield kitchens- namely because multiple large ovens are needed to cook all of the turkeys that Family Fare faithfully donates each year.
“It used to be that we could do the dine-in meal at the airfield as well, but we outgrew the space and Grayling High School stepped in to offer us the resource of their cafeteria, and that is where the dine in meal and take out pick up will be held this year,” Patty shares.
Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce have made a tradition of their support for the dinner; The Grayling Restaurant and Lange Vending donate rolls every year, and Spikes donates the coleslaw that accompanies the meal.
“I am blown away by how many people in this community reach out to help each other. The ability to pay for the amount of food we need with these donations is incredible and impactful” Crandall remarks earnestly. There are multiple ways to receive a meal this year. Dial A Ride is offering FREE rides to and from the meal that day and residents are encouraged to call 989-348-5409 to reserve a ride.
To receive takeout or dine in community with others, residents simply show up at the high school between 12-3 p.m.
For takeout orders, residents will have a table to come to in the cafeteria to request the number of meals needed for their household and within a few minutes will leave with a robust serving of turkey with all the sides as well as dessert.
To have a meal delivered to a home, please call 989-387-3672 and the information needed will be taken to bring hot food to the doorstep on Thanksgiving Day.
If you want to volunteer to drive and deliver meals, please contact Patty at 989-745-3557. Businesses inspired to make a commitment of one time or annual sponsorship can contact Patty as well. Donations are also accepted via mail at CATD (Crawford AuSable Thanksgiving Dinner) PO Box 247 Grayling MI 49738.
“You never know what someone is going through or how a hot meal showing up for them can impact their situation” Patty insightfully shares. “Sometimes a person doesn’t have the means for a meal, or they recently lost a spouse or other loss or have suffered illness in their home, you just never know, so we choose to show people we can show up for them.”
