The Northcott Neighborhood House in Milwaukee transformed its annual Thanksgiving meal from a take-out event to a sit-down dinner for 500 people, creating a space for community connection during the holiday.
“We want to focus more on bringing people together,” Tony Kearney, executive director of Northcott Neighborhood House, said.
The community organization, which has served the area for 65 years, recognized the growing need for gathering spaces as families face food insecurity challenges.
Watch here: Why Northcott Neighborhood House decided to hold its Thanksgiving meal in-person, as opposed to doing carryout, this year.
Northcott Neighborhood House transforms annual Thanksgiving meal to bring community together
“Issues with SNAP, the high cost of food… It’s important to have places that people can come,” Kearney said.
The meal brought together longtime residents and newcomers alike. Angela and Tara Martin, a married couple from Georgia, attended the dinner while missing their extended families back home.
“It means everything. They open up their food, their facility,” Angela Martin said…