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The local Feed the Need Foundation, with help from local chefs and the Community Foundation, made sure those fighting the Matts Creek fire were able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and other meals during their time here.
They served meals to over 200 firefighters and support personnel on Thanksgiving at the command operations center that had set up at the former Natural Bridge High School building, now called Stonebridge.
The Glasgow Lifesaving and First Aid Crew also packaged an additional 50 meals that were to be distributed at the Glasgow/Natural Bridge Food Pantry.
Kathy Larlee, chairman of the board for the Feed the Need Foundation, explained how the Thanksgiving effort, as well as the effort to help feed the firefighters earlier during the battle to contain the wildfire, came about.
“The initiative started with a meeting with the Forest Service as part of our ongoing efforts to support first responders with meals, snacks and drinks,” she said. “Christy Dane and a friend of hers reached out to Lori Turner, director of the Community Foundation and a member of our board of directors, while we were in a meeting. At that point, I contacted a few friends and community members to see if they could contribute meals.”
John Stallard of CHEFS Catering, George Huge of Lexington Catering, and Jason Harris of Subway agreed to donate meals.
“The Community Foundation covered snacks and drinks, which I personally shopped for and dropped off at the Bank of the James. Christy and her friend took care of the deliveries,” Larlee continued.
“Later, on Sunday, I picked up meals of brats and goulash from CHEFS, and Christy and I distributed them at Glasgow Fire Rescue, Big Island, and Bedford firefighters (stationed at Big Island).”
Subsequently, Dane heard about the Forest Service teams at the command center needing meals.
“Recognizing the limitations on individuals cooking and distributing meals without meeting specific requirements, I visited NBHS and met with Forestry,” said Larlee.
They initially attempted to secure reservations at the Natural Bridge Hotel for Thanksgiving but the hotel was unavailable. They then reached out to George Huger. “I asked George if he’d be willing to prepare a meal for them if Feed the Need Foundation supplied the turkeys,” Larlee said. “Initially estimated at around 80 people, this number surged to 240 when Forestry discovered that it was the same caterer who provided their free meal of chicken the previous Friday.
“The 20-plus pound turkey count increased from four to 14, and Forestry committed that anything over George’s cost would be a donation to Feed the Need’s initiatives.
“In discussions with George, he expressed his generosity by accepting reimbursement only for his actual costs, embodying a wonderful spirit of community collaboration.”
Larlee noted that two Feed the Need Foundation members, Tracy Miller Hinty and Bobbie Wager, joined her in assisting with the setup for the Thanksgiving meal and serving.
“We were overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone we came into contact with last night,” said Larlee Friday morning.
“Feed the Need was happy to coordinate and facilitate this initiative to ensure these dedicated individuals received a memorable Thanksgiving meal.”
