Thanksgiving Day Buffet Celebrates 25 Years With #Give25More

I have had the honor of being on the Thanksgiving Day Buffet committee for 17 of the 25 years of it's existence. It started back in 1989 in Superior and has since moved to the DECC and serves 6,500 delicious meals. It takes hundreds of volunteers to make it happen and on this historic year we're asking for 25 more. I'll explain....

When I say 6,500 meals served they aren't all at the DECC. There are also meals delivered to home-bound people who have pre-ordered via phone and there are three satellite locations, Two Harbors, Carlton and Cloquet. It takes an enormous number of volunteers to plan and execute the Thanksgiving Day Buffet. From planning, prepping the food, decorating the dining areas, cooking, serving, cleaning, helping Santa, delivering the meals....I could go on and on.

We wanted to recognize our 25th year by doing something special with and for the volunteers, thus #Give25More was born. If the 1,000 volunteers that unselfishly give their time on Thanksgiving Day donated another 25 hours in the community that would be 25,000 hours!!!

If each of those 1,000 volunteers that gave an additional 25 hours this coming year asked friends and family to do the same, it would amazing! There are so many different non-profit organization that are looking for volunteers.

Second Harvest Food Bank, Salvation Army, Area Food Shelves, Men as Peacemakers, Safe Haven Shelter, Life House, the Boys & Girls Club, Valley Youth Centers and so amny more. At the Thanksgiving Day Buffet we gave volunteers over 120 different non-profit agencies in the Northland that they could give their time to. If you are in search of a non-profit organization, feel free to call me, Cathy Kates at 218.279.0022, I'd be happy to help find one that fits your lifestyle and time you are able to volunteer.

Then, complete the circle of love, please let us know about your volunteer experience by share stories and photos of how you've volunteered your 25 hours or plan to in the next year. When you share on social media be sure to use #Give25More! THANK YOU!