INDIANAPOLIS — A team of volunteers will serve thousands of Thanksgiving meals this year for the Mozel Sanders Foundation.
They'll wake up bright and early Thursday to make sure fellow Hoosiers have a warm holiday meal.
Making it happen means starting early in the week. The ovens were going all Wednesday evening at Ivy Tech Culinary School as volunteers with the foundation came together once again, rolling up their sleeves to feed Hoosiers in need. By Wednesday evening, they had packed 4,000 of the 10,000 meals to be served this year.
"I think what keeps everybody going is the passion and understanding of why Rev. Mozel Sanders started this. That's what is important. To make sure no one goes without," said the foundation's Dawn Jordan Jones.
They cooked chicken, green beans, stuffing and apple crisp. It's an effort began 52 years ago.
Because of their new partnership with Ivy Tech Culinary School, they had enough kitchen space this year to max out volunteer positions at 300.
"Some people may do football in the morning. Some people may do running. But a lot of people really like to serve and help out the community. This is another example of Hoosiers helping Hoosiers. We do it best," said volunteer chef Michael Futch.
For some, it's all the support they have.
"The need is even greater than ever. The cost of food has kind of gone up. The cost of living in general has kind of gone up. The days of big Thanksgiving meals and being able to afford that and being in grandma's kitchen and all that are kind of falling by the wayside. It costs a lot of money, and you have to think about what's more important. Is it a big meal or a continuous meal throughout the week?" said volunteer chef James Perkins III.
Organizers said there's a little something extra inside every bite.
"This program here is hospitality-driven. That's what we are bringing to the table for people who can't provide for themselves or just need it to enjoy themselves on this holiday. That hospitality, the love that goes into the dishes. I love cooking, so that translates into an ingredient right into the dish," said Chef Ricky Hatfield, a member of Ivy Tech's adjunct faculty.
The containers made Wednesday will be picked up Thursday and delivered to various locations.
If you are in need of a meal and want to sit down to enjoy it with other Hoosiers, the foundation will also be feeding people at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church at 418 E. 34th St. in Indianapolis on Thanksgiving Day.
Meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.