Twelve thousand meals.
That’s how many Thanksgiving plates the events backed by Veridian Credit Union expect to serve between November 9 and 26 to people facing food insecurity in three states.
The money, the muscle, and the map
Veridian is committing $70,000 to local groups that host free holiday meals and hand out groceries. It’s also adding 300 hours of paid volunteer time from its own employees, so the credit union is sending people along with the check.
The funds will reach events and organizations in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Waterloo in Iowa, Omaha in Nebraska, and the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota. Here’s who’s getting the support:
- Des Moines, Iowa: Families Forward Thanksgiving Table and the 4 All Kids Free Annual Thanksgiving Meal
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa: The Salvation Army Thanksgiving Community Meal
- Waterloo, Iowa: Mike & Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner
- Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska: Heartland Hope Mission Thanksgiving Pantry
- Minneapolis, Minnesota: The Life’s Center Thanksgiving Outreach
Why a meal matters beyond the meal
Veridian President and CEO Renee Christoffer framed the gift as more than a one-day fix. “When people have access to basic necessities like food, they’re better equipped to build a more stable future,” she said. “Especially during the holiday season, contributions like this can help families meet their immediate needs today while building a stronger foundation for long-term well-being.”
That’s the logic worth noticing. A family that isn’t scrambling to cover dinner has a little more room to breathe, and a little more room to plan.
What you can do with this
Need a meal, or know someone who does? The organizations above are a good place to start, and events run through November 26, so check each group’s details soon. Want to help? Local hosts like these typically welcome volunteers and donations, so reach out to one near you before the holiday crunch hits.