One way people around Waukegan are showing how they are grateful on Thanksgiving Day is by volunteering to help prepare or serve free meals at places like Big Ed’s BBQ and the Most Blessed Trinity Soup Kitchen.
So many people sought to volunteer at both Big Ed’s and Most Blessed Trinity on Thanksgiving Day this year that some were told no more slots were available.
Ed Nero, one of the restaurant’s owners, said volunteering for some is a family experience.
“It’s fantastic so many people want to help others on Thanksgiving,” Nero said. “Some people bring their children and make it a family experience. So many people want to help at Thanksgiving. It’s amazing.”
Big Ed’s, Most Blessed Trinity and Juan’s Chuck Wagon are serving free Thanksgiving meals on Thursday in Waukegan, either with volunteers to help or all employees taking part of their holiday to assist. In all cases, it is about community.
Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said volunteering to help others on Thanksgiving and at other times during the holiday season is a way to express thankfulness for the good fortune they have.
“People really care about people here,” Taylor said. “It’s a way we can show thanks, and people do that. A lot of people in the faith community are doing that this time of year.”
Big Ed’s will be giving up to four free traditional Thanksgiving meals per car to those who come by the restaurant near the Fountain Square shopping center between noon and 4 p.m. Thursday. It includes turkey, ham, dressing, sweet potatoes, collard greens and macaroni and cheese.
For Nero, offering Thanksgiving meals is his way to thank the community. It is the ninth consecutive year he has done it. With 40 volunteers along with his staff to help, he said they prepare the food, cook the meals and manage a car line of hundreds of people who arrive.
“It’s our way of giving back to the community for everything they have given us,” Nero said. “It’s about doing something for the community for all the support they have given us. We arrange deliveries for those who aren’t mobile.”
Juan Retana Jr., who operates Juan’s Chuck Wagon restaurant started by his father 28 years ago, said the eatery will be serving a sit-down Thanksgiving meal to anyone who walks through the doors between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday.
Retana said his entire staff works Thanksgiving to accommodate diners. The meal is turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes, yams and dessert of pecan or pumpkin pie. About 300 people will be served. The free Thanksgiving started with his father the year Juan’s opened.
“When my father decided to open a business, he promised God he would give back to the community and every Thanksgiving meal would be free,” Retana said. “If God would help him, he would give back to the community. This is a place where people can come together.”
A free Thanksgiving dinner will also be served between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Most Blessed Trinity Soup Kitchen, at 914 8th St., in Waukegan. A holiday meal will be served on Christmas Day as well. The complement of volunteers is also full there.
“I like that problem,” the Rev. Timothy O’Malley of Most Blessed Trinity said about the overabundance of volunteers. “It’s great people apply in big numbers.”
When Mike Morales hosts his annual Thanksgiving meal for seniors the Wednesday before the holiday, volunteers come to him, from a serving line of elected officials, to the music provided to members of the Waukegan High School JROTC, to 25 young people from YouthBuild Lake County.
Tameka Wilson, YouthBuild’s executive director, said in an email that sending the volunteers to help at events like this is part of the organization’s philosophy of, “giving back and lifting each other up.”
“This is such a special opportunity to connect with our community,” Wilson said. “There’s something unique about sharing a meal, and seeing the smiles and gratitude from those we serve. It’s a reminder of how much joy giving can bring.”
