More than 18 years ago, Lynn Lacey saw what appeared to be homeless man walking along the street with an uncooked turkey under his arm.
“I wondered how was he going to cook that turkey,” said the La Grange resident, noting that the sight spurred a desire in her to provide the needy with a warm meal during the holidays.
She started a Thanksgiving dinner that is marking its 18th year and will will take place this year at the La Grange Community Center, 200 S. Washington Street on Nov. 24. The doors will open at noon and the dinner will be served starting at 12:30 p.m.
Lacey expects between 225 and 250 people to be served turkey and all the fixings at the event, and more.
About a week before the dinner, Lacey was knee-deep in trying to tie up some of the details of putting on the massive dinner.
“Right now, we are trying to find transportation for people,” said Lacey, who noted that diners will come from La Grange, as well as nearby suburbs such as Oak Park and Maywood and Chicago.
“Most of the food is homemade. My daughter April and I start cooking a couple days before,” Lacey said.
The event over the years has also garnered community support from such businesses as Kirschbaum’s Bakery in Western Springs and others that supply sweets, food and other things that Lacey needs.
Lacey said she tries to decorate the tables with linen table cloths.
“We want people to feel special on that day,” she said. “We don’t just want it to be a regular soup kitchen.”
One of the organizations that also provides support is the La Grange Park District.
Dean Bissias, park district director, said he is happy let Lacey turn the community center into a nicely appointed dining room.
“We allow the facility to be used rent free to serve the needy in the community,” he said.
He said he often brings a turkey to donate.
“They go through 12 to 14 turkeys. It’s a big event,” he said.
Lacey said she counts on the help from her family including her daughter, April Hill, her husband, Damen, and her son Ramone.
Bissias said Lacey’s efforts bring a warm glow to a day that might otherwise not be a happy one for people who face hunger.
“She’s very sweet and very kind and an extremely big-hearted person,” he said. “She cares about all of the community.”
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Lacey said the event not only feeds the hungry, but provides them with a sense of camaraderie.
“I don’t want anyone to feel lonely,” she said.
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