Hunger Coalition served up Thanksgiving dinner

Circled around autumn-themed center pieces, sat at nicely set places, families and individuals dined together Thursday afternoon at the Our Savior Lutheran Church on Washington Avenue.

The free Thanksgiving dinner was organized by the Otero County Hunger Coalition and made possible by a hodge-podge of donors and volunteers. A total of 17 turkeys were donated by individuals and groups in Alamogordo, including 10 from the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center and nine from the German Air Force. Individuals and groups also donated deserts and  other food for the Coalition to prepare.

Janett Quick, the Chairman of the Otero County Hunger Coalition Board, is able to secure food for the Coalition’s meals through her post organizing local food recovery for Road Runner Bank, as well.

The Coalition and their volunteers began preparing for the big day Monday, de-boning turkeys. By Thursday afternoon the group had prepared the 17 turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and yams. OCHC Board Member Donnetta Campos said her volunteers put in long hours to help prepare for the big day.

“Volunteers stayed extra late last night because they knew we had extra work,” Campos said. “It’s a major effort.”

Festive table decorations were contributed for the special day by Our Savior Lutheran Church congregation member Donna Swanson, who bought the materials and recruited her family and friends to set them up Thursday morning.

The organization served a total of 335 meals this year, including to-go meals brought to those who were unable to get to the church. This year’s numbers are up  from the 187 Thanksgiving meals the Coalition served last year. Overall, attendance at the free community meals provided by OCHC have increased two-fold in the last year.

Campos said the volunteers they need to keep pace with that growth comes and goes. Thankfully they haven’t had a problem providing enough food, Quick said, as they work with Road Runner Food Bank and several other community partners.

Chilis restaurant and Cowboy Barbecue cook food for the Coalition meals, she said, Carino’s is beginning to cook for them, as well, and they receive some monetary sponsorship from an individual.

The OCHC was formed by a group of Alamogordo pastors with the intention of serving a free community meal every day of the week in Alamogordo. Today the coalition serves meals five days per week at churches around the community. For more information about the Coalition and where to find a free meal in Alamogordo, visit http://oterohunger.com.