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You can donate holiday meals for veterans

By Sarah Shurge that does,” said Barra. “Whether you to pick up your meal during the sign-ups to 450+ meal packages. If
When November comes around, eat it or give it away, it doesn’t matter. scheduled day or hours of pickup, you are interested in donating to the
our first thought typically goes to We just want to say thank you." contact the Wayne Ford Civic League cause, please visit: https://wayne-
Thanksgiving. But do you think of Once registered, recipients will at (734)728-5010. ford.com/donations/
our veterans or military members? receive a (14-16 pound) turkey, stuff- When the program originally If you’d rather donate by check,
It’s important to give thanks to ing, mashed potatoes and gravy, started 11 years ago, they were only donation checks can be made
our veterans. That’s why the Wayne- sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, passing out 30 frozen turkeys from payable to: Wayne Ford Civic League
Ford Civic League President Vic cranberry sauce, and heat and serve the trunk of their car. However, it located at
Barra, joined by Wayne Mayor John rolls for a family of 6-8 people. quickly grew to supply an entire 1661 N. Wayne
Rhaesa, Westland Mayor Kevin Cole- The meal is completely free, all meal so veterans can invite their fam- Rd. Westland,
man, and elected officials are coming you have to do is register using one ily or friends over to eat with them. MI 48185.
together for the 11th Annual Holiday of the following two methods: 267 meal packages were handed Please note in
Meals for Wayne-Westland veterans #1: You can register online with out in 2020, 348 meals in 2021, 392 the memo sec-
and active-duty families. the online form at wayne- meals in 2022, and 411 meals in tion: Veteran
“This is not a needy-veterans pro- ford.com/2024-veteran-meal- 2023. The remaining balance of Meal Program.
gram, this is a thank-you-for-your- registration/ meals or any extra supplies is given (The Wayne TO DONATE:
service program,” said Barra, the #2: Fill out registration form and to the residents at Thomas F Taylor Ford Civic League is a 501©4 corpo-
program’s founder. “This is a meal return it to the Wayne Ford Civic Towers. ration. Tax ID 38-6085890).
provided by your community in grat- League (1645 N. Wayne Rd. West- “This year we hope to grow even “We encourage the public to get in-
itude for your service.” land) further,” said Barra. volved with donations, big or small.
The program is for Wayne-West- Applications must be submitted The Holiday Meal Team is dis- We need the public's engagement in
land veterans, surviving spouses, no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, No- cussing an Easter Meal Program. this,” said Barra.
and families of active- duty service vember 19th, to receive a complete “We’re wanting to do this twice a Barra has been involved with the
members. All you have to do is regis- holiday meal for free. year now, instead of just once. So, program since day one when it
ter and then you will receive a free Veterans, active-duty service we’re continuing to look for spon- started 11 years ago. Barra is a vet-
meal. members, and/or their families can sors to fund two programs annually,” eran himself. He joined the U.S. Air
“We want veterans to get the ap- pick up their meal on Saturday, No- said Barra. Force in 1977.
preciation they deserve and pick up vember 23rd, between 10 a.m. – 1 The fundraising goal for the “The program runs extremely
the meal even if they don’t need it. p.m. at the Wayne Ford Civic League. Thanksgiving event this year is 25K, smoothly. We’ve been doing it for 11
They can give it away to someone If for any reason you are unable as they expect to increase the veteran years, we’ve got it down,” said Barra.

8 · November 2024 · The Wayne Dispatch