667 Meals: Twelfth annual Luigi's Thanksgiving Dinner wasn't just a success, it was a 'miracle'

BOONVILLE- 667 meals. That's the final tally for Luigi's twelfth annual Thanksgiving Day dinner.

The initiative began over a decade ago as a way to give back to the community by providing to those in need or without family a place to celebrate Thanksgiving. "We expected that it was going to be a big year and it was," said Pat Lindsey, who has been at the head of organizing this community meal since its birth.

He said this year wasn't just a success, it was a miracle. "Without our volunteers, we can't do this. All of the donations, the turkeys, the money, we just can't thank everybody enough for helping us."   

To make 667 meals, including over 400 deliveries, it took 40 oven roasted turkeys. It also took 350-pounds of homemade stuffing and mashed potatoes. 

All delivered meals, which went all around Boonville and surrounding communities, were dropped off thanks to the help of volunteer drivers. This year, Pat highlighted how there were so many new faces who showed up to take part and help out. 

"God willing, we hope to do it all again in 2023 for our thirteenth year," Mr. Lindsey added. 

Listen to our latest on-air interview with Pat Lindsey here:

Images by Brian Trainor.