THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: CRIS Healthy Aging Nutrition Manager Lori Smith prepares Thanksgiving meals for senior citizens on Thursday.
DANVILLE — As families start getting ready for Thanksgiving meals, imagine having to serve a party of 90.
At CRIS Healthy Aging in Danville, nutrition manager Lori Smith said her crew cooked six turkeys and had about 3 gallons of mashed potatoes for the agency’s early Thanksgiving meal Thursday.
There also was dressing, cranberry sauce and green-bean casserole — and a dozen pies for dessert.
It might have been cold outside, but it was warm and the food was smelling good in the kitchen.
“We try to do this traditional meal for them. There will be some that won’t have a traditional meal on that day,” Smith said.
Some local churches have meals, but transportation can be an issue, she said.
The portions were good sizes for the senior citizens, too, as CRIS follows state nutrition guidelines for protein, vegetables and other items.
There was a suggested donation of $4 for the meal, or $6 for those under 60, but anyone who didn’t have the money didn’t have to pay.
Smith estimates each meal costs about $12, not counting labor costs. CRIS receives grant money and funding from the United Way and other sources for its services.
When Smith arrived to work in the morning, there was a homeless couple who’d spent all night outside, and she provided breakfast for them.
The camaraderie was just as important for the local residents enjoying the food Thursday.
Bill Neuman, 73, of Catlin said the meal was “wonderful” and this was the first of three different Thanksgiving dinners he was going to enjoy.
“It’s really nice. It’s something a lot of people don’t get very often,” he added.
Neuman also attends the lunches held every Tuesday and Thursday at CRIS and shows up once in a while for breakfast. He said he has a lot of friends he meets there.
“The staff are all wonderful. It’s hard to beat,” Neuman said.
Neuman said this Thanksgiving, he’s thankful for all his friends.
“My wife has been gone for five years, and I just need friendship,” he said. “That’s all that matters.”
The nutrition program provided through CRIS in Danville also serves a made-to-order breakfast in the mornings, except on weekends, and lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lunches also are provided on Wednesdays in Hoopeston.
CRIS draws about 45 people for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and about 35 for breakfasts. Monday is bigger because bingo is afterward.
About 270 Vermilion County residents also receive home-delivered meals every weekday, delivered by around 120 volunteer drivers. CRIS served 86,820 home-delivered meals in Vermilion County last year.
Extra help arrived for Thursday’s feat, including staff from Crosspoint Human Services.
As for Smith, this week’s meal prep doesn’t wear her out. She’ll be cooking on Thanksgiving too for her family. She won’t have as big a group this year, but expects 27-30 for a Christmas brunch at her home.
”It’s fun to come to work when you have people that like to work,” Smith said.
For Giving Tuesday, CRIS Health Aging Executive Director Lisa Miller said donations support the non-profit organization that helps those 60 years and older and those aged 18-59 who are disabled.
Donations, for example, can help with meals, fitness and other classes, and devices to help an isolated older adult have face-to-face calls with loved ones.
Miller said it’s so exciting to see so many people enjoy the Thanksgiving meal, and the other meals at CRIS. Offering socialization opportunities, in addition to the food, is one of their most important services.
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