MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — On Thanksgiving, a Muskegon County high school teamed up with the Salvation Army to help pass out dinners to those in need.
“We're actually running Thanksgiving meals to those most in need in Muskegon County," said Salvation Army Development Director Lori March.
Reeths-Puffer High School's cafeteria was filled dozens of volunteers that were filling up to-go plates to hand out to people in need.
The Salvation Army has been doing this for the last 30 years, with the Reeths-Puffer School District being involved for the last 10 years. More than 250 volunteers help each year.
"It's fun seeing the community and seeing the people that you went to school with, or people you grew up with, and all come together to support one goal,” said volunteer Jaxson Whitaker.
Former students like Whitaker come back every year to help pack up 2,000 meals that will be delivered to people right in their community.
Reeths-Puffer High School Principal Jennifer Anderson says students like Whitaker start getting involved in this tradition when they are in school and continue even after they leave.
"It's student-led. They do things that help make it more organized, from the prep all the way, you know, to now, there's, you know, maybe 60 staff and students involved in the production of the meals and distribution of the meals, and then another hundreds of people that help deliver,” said Anderson.
Elementary students also decorated the bags that the meals were handed out in.
Development director Lorri March says these students and other volunteers play a huge role in helping others.
The organization says it gives bread and produce to more than 1,800 people a day and on days like Thanksgiving, the need can be greater.
"Somebody sent us a note yesterday, and the note said, 'You don't understand how blessed I feel to be able to have a meal for Thanksgiving.' And that is the reason why we do this. It's people that are in need and really want to have a great meal, and we're able to fulfill that,” said March.
People interested in next year’s event can start signing up at the end of September.
