Published on December 6, 2019
Phelps Health teamed up with GRACE (Greater Rolla Area Charitable Enterprise) and Good Samaritan of the Ozarks this fall to provide Thanksgiving meals to more than 200 families in need during the “Basket of Thanksgiving” food drive.
Phelps Health employees and volunteers, along with many community groups and businesses, were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and/or donate money to purchase turkeys during the drive held from October 21 through November 15, 2019. This marks the ninth year that Phelps Health has sponsored this collection.
A total of 232 baskets of food were filled, with one basket feeding a family of four. This year’s total surpassed the 201 baskets donated last year.
Phelps Health also donated turkeys, butter and eggs to complement the food items, so area families had all of the items needed to make a Thanksgiving meal.
The donated food was distributed to GRACE and Good Samaritan of the Ozarks in Waynesville, MO.
In addition to the Phelps Health employees and volunteers with the Phelps Health Auxiliary and Volunteer Services who donated food items, several community organizations and businesses made donations as well, including the following:
- Brewer Science (which donated over 52 baskets, including turkeys)
- Discovery Schools-Rolla
- Drury University-Rolla campus
- Ozarks Actors Theatre
- Phelps Health retired employees (who donated over 100 items)
- Results Radio-KTTR/KZNN
- Sakelaris Ford of Rolla
Several individuals from the community also donated items, including Peggy Prosser, Debbie Hollman and Mark Long, among others.
The Phelps Health Mission Possible group sponsored this year’s food drive.
“The Mission Possible organization thanks everybody who contributed to this year’s food drive,” says Tracy Limmer, Phelps Health community relations manager.