MARTINS FERRY – Dozens of residents received a big turkey dinner with all the trimmings thanks to the generosity of a handful of local businesses.
Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, several local businesses decided to pass it on and help those in the community by donating 50 turkey dinners to the Daily Bread Center in Martins Ferry. Donors included Belmont Brewerks, Hot Rod Tattooing & Body Piercing, The Lions Club of Martins Ferry, Jacob and Sons Quality Meats and Wilson Funeral Home.
The customers of the center were surprised when they picked up last week’s meals. Lisa Bell, manager of the Daily Bread Center, said she kept Thanksgiving dinners a secret until Thursday, when residents came to redeem their meal tickets.
“They each received turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, a bun, and cranberry sauce. … I wanted it to be a surprise. I gave them a ticket on Wednesday (10/19) and they were allowed to come back the next day. Everyone was so overwhelmed.” she said, adding that it was a pleasant surprise for everyone who received a meal.
Rick Veon, owner of Belmont Brewerks, said he believes it’s important to give back to the community as a business owner.
“You look around and there are people who need a little help, so I thought that would be a good thing. I think it’s easy for us (entrepreneurs) to give and we should give back more. Everyone is self-absorbed and we forget that there are people who really need our help.” he said.
Veon said they plan to make this gesture a tradition, possibly several times a year.
Veon said he and other companies plan to meet to discuss the possibility of starting a nonprofit to continue helping people in the community.
“We need to start giving back, and if we can start a trend with that, hopefully more people will start giving a little more.” he said.
“We want to do the right thing and share with the community, and hopefully that will eventually become the whole of the Ohio Valley.”
The companies purchased the meals from St. Mark Lutheran Church in Wheeling, West Virginia, from their annual turkey meal sale.
Bell said she was grateful for the company’s donation and pantry support.
“I was overwhelmed (by the donations). It was wonderful,” She added.
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