Volunteers deliver 4,300 Thanksgiving meals to seniors

ST. FRANCIS -- Thousands of seniors smiled a little brighter on Thanksgiving -- after they had warm Thanksgiving meals delivered to them by volunteers looking to lend a helping hand.

At the Marian Center for Nonprofits in St. Francis, over 200 volunteers packed up turkey dinners to send to seniors in need.  It is an annual effort by the organization Community Projects for Seniors.

“There's so many seniors alone on the holiday.  These are seniors that have nobody.  The holidays are very depressing, so we want to give them some joy in the holidays,” Executive Director Jeffrey Hansen said.

“It's Thanksgiving and you're helping people that can't afford food and stuff,” nine-year-old Felicity de Luna said.

“It's a privilege.  I actually can get much more than I can give.  I'm so happy,” Sister Ann Catherine said.

From young to old, folks volunteered to spend Thanksgiving morning giving back, providing meals to 4,300 low-income seniors.

“We're doing eight counties.  We're doing Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, Jefferson and Walworth,” Hansen said.

Once they loaded the meals up, 200 additional volunteers personally delivered them to group homes and assisted living facilities.

“We started about seven years ago,” volunteer Brian Karweik said.

Karweik, his wife and brother have been greeting elderly men and women every year since then, providing a smile and some company.

“Best feeling ever.  Puts a smile on my face because I'm doing something good,” Karweik said.

Those receiving the meals said they're thankful someone cares.

“It feels very good because I know that people are worried about me and I like that,” Reinaldo Colon said.

This is the 26th year Community Projects for Seniors has been delivering meals to low-income seniors during Thanksgiving.  The group delivers meals on Easter and Christmas as well.