Reese Bentzinger
Editorial Assistant
Northeast News

Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather around, sharing good food and even better company. However, for many Kansas City residents, traditional Thanksgiving food is an unaffordable expense.

In order to give all families a chance to celebrate the holiday, the community services organization Della Lamb is organizing their 26th annual Operation Thanksgiving.

The event will be held at 406 Woodland Avenue in Kansas City, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday November 20.

The organization is still open to accepting food or monetary donations from the community.

Della Lamb will be accepting donations until Monday, November 19th at 500 Woodland Avenue.

Residents of the Kansas City metro area can donate/drop off a frozen turkey or other needed food items at area restaurants andreceive a free gift card or appetizer:

• Thursday, 11/15 at Old Shawnee Pizza (Shawnee or Lenexa). Donate a 10-lb. frozen turkey or 10 canned goods (cranberry sauce, corn, green beans or apple/cherry pie filling) and you’ll receive a $10 gift card.
• Sunday, 11/18 at three area Red Robin restaurants (135th St./Overland Park, Zona Rosa and U.S. 40 Hwy/Independence). Donate a 10-lb. frozen turkey and you’ll receive a free appetizer coupon.

“It’s for low-income families to have a wonderful and festive thanksgiving,” said Don Pfannenstiel, Integrated Marketing and Communications Principal for Della Lamb.

Operation Thanksgiving has seen massive growth since its first run in 1993. The first event hosted only 250 people, but this year they strive to serve over a thousand.

The main goal is to accumulate enough turkeys to serve 1,200 families.  Other traditional thanksgiving foods are also welcome including cranberry sauce, cans of corn, and pie crust.

Della Lamb is also accepting financial donations. There is an option to donate $35 tax-deductible contribution to provide a family with all the groceries needed for a complete Thanksgiving Feast, as well as a $50 option to allow the center to purchase 67 packages of stuffing mix and 35 dozen eggs.

“We hope to have resources to help over 1000 families,” add Pfannenstiel.

To learn more about Operation Thanksgiving or to donate, please visit DellaLamb.org, or stop by the office at 500 Woodland Avenue.