A growing number of Jefferson City families are able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal through the efforts of the Elks Lodge in Jefferson City.
Several members of the lodge met at their facility on Ellis Boulevard Saturday morning, to deliver meals throughout the community.
"I'm so excited I can hardly talk," said program coordinator Eileen Scrivner. "It's so wonderful to see the reaction from the families."
This is the third year the Jefferson City lodge has received a grant from the national Elks organization.
"We started with 35 families, and this year we're helping 65," Scrivner said.
The meals were purchased through donations from John Schulte of Schulte's Fresh Foods, who is also a member of the Elks.
"We get the names of families through the Samaritan Center," Scrivner said. "So many of these folks wouldn't be able to get out and get a dinner together, so we bring it to them."
This year, students from Lincoln University helped out with the cause.
Lakaisha McCaleb and Tiyana Walters said giving back to the community was why they wanted to help.
"It's the first time I've done this, but I also do a mentoring program in the community so this just fit in with that," McCaleb said.
"There is a definite need in the community, and I want to help any way I can," Walters added.