The countdown to the holiday season is on, and as families prepare to gather around the Thanksgiving table, volunteers are making sure their neighbors have a meal to enjoy, too.
Volunteers from Erie Insurance gathered at Second Harvest Food Bank to pack Thanksgiving dinner boxes for families in need. Over the course of four shifts through the day, 172 volunteers from Erie Insurance packed 3,000 boxes that will be distributed throughout the community ahead of the holiday.
For 40 years, the Rick Hinman Thanksgiving Dinner Drive has brought together Erie Insurance employees for an annual day of giving back.
From building boxes to filling them with food, the effort takes a tremendous amount of volunteer support to ensure everything gets done.
Greg Hall, the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank said seeing the community come together to help their neighbors is what makes the effort so meaningful.
“We couldn’t do what we do at Second Harvest Food Bank without community support. What you are seeing today, to have the community come together and make an impact to the region and their neighbors, is so impressive,” Hall said.
More than 3,000 boxes were packed by volunteers to help provide Thanksgiving meals to families across the region.
Charles Spacht, co-chair of the Turkey Dinner Drive, said knowing how many people benefit from the effort makes it all worthwhile.
“There’s that blessing, knowing that we are helping so many people that are in need, and this is our way of saying thank you to them,” Spacht said.
Spacht has served as co-chair for the past thirteen years and is preparing to pass the responsibility to fellow Erie Insurance employee Bryan Craig as he gets ready to retire next year.
Craig said taking over was a natural fit.
“With him retiring next year, it was the most natural fit, so I am looking forward to it,” Craig said.
Spacht said he has enjoyed leading the annual drive and plans to continue volunteering even after handing over the reins. He also has some advice for Craig as he prepares for his first year in charge.
“Take it slow. It will all come together. I know we will always wonder if we are going to finish it this year, but it always happens,” Spacht said.
The gift of giving continues later this month with the Erie News Now Food Drive benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank.
The food drive will take place Wednesday, November 18, with donation drop-off locations throughout Erie, Crawford and Warren counties. The drive will run all day, giving community members an opportunity to help local families in need. More information can be found here.