On Thanksgiving Day, in an effort that has rippled across more than five decades, the Mozel Sanders Foundation continued its tradition of feeding Hoosiers in need. Volunteers at the foundation channeled their collective spirit into preparing nearly 10,000 meals for the local community. Before dawn, volunteers of all ages came together, showing the spirit of "Hoosiers helping Hoosiers," said James Perkins III to WTHR.
The Mozel Sanders Foundation operationalized a vast network, including 17 satellite locations and five central kitchens, to coordinate the massive undertaking. Volunteers prepared an impressive array of food items — 3,750 pounds of chicken, 2,500 pounds of dressing, and 500 cans of green beans, according to a report by WISH-TV. The foundation's history dates back to the simple but profound act of kindness by Reverend Mozel Sanders, who once invited individuals lacking food and company into his church for a meal on Thanksgiving.
Notable figures, including Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Mayor Joe Hogsett, joined the volunteers, rolling up their sleeves to help pack and serve meals. Governor Holcomb highlighted the foundation's year-round commitment to serving those in need, expressing his deep appreciation for their relentless focus on the individuals within the community, as reported by WISH-TV. Echoing this sentiment, Mayor Hogsett emphasized the importance of caring for others, as he has witnessed the foundation's growth into a family of dedicated volunteers.
In the midst of the efforts, volunteer Mike O'Banyel, a long-time participant since the 1970s, reflected on the teachings of his parents regarding the primacy of service. O'Banyel, alongside countless volunteers, worked diligently to ensure the successful delivery of these meals, which included dishes such as 300 gallons of gravy, and 20,000 dinner rolls, as noted by WRTV. Manning one of the satellite locations, Tabernacle Presbyterian Church witnessed the collective mission to tackle hunger, a mission that reverberates through the laughter, the early mornings, and the packed boxes of a community refusing to let any of its own go without.
The foundation's impact is felt not just in the weight of the food distributed, but in the warmth shared among the residents and volunteers. As Farah Thomas, a first-time volunteer, told WTHR, "It's just a little mission that I set for myself to give back to the community, to give back to the area."
