The Rotary Club of Eau Claire is partnering with Hy-Vee to host the ninth annual Thanksgiving Dinner Drive today. The Rotary Club, with the support of Hy-Vee for the first time this year, will provide groceries for a traditional Thanksgiving meal to local families in need so they can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in the comfort of their own homes.
The event was started by the Chippewa Valley After Hours Rotary Club in 2016. When the club merged with the Rotary Club of Eau Claire in 2023, the event continued with additional volunteers and resources. This year’s Thanksgiving Dinner Drive will feed 65 families in need, which amounts to 378 people overall.
The event is made possible by annual club fundraisers contributed to by its members along with the generous sponsorship of Hy-Vee.
“As Rotarians, we take pride in serving others and are grateful for the incredible partners who join us in meeting the needs of our community. Together, we create meaningful change, providing vital support to local families while living out our motto, Service Above Self—a commitment that inspires everything we do,” stated club President TJ Atkins.
Club members will gather tonight at 6:00 p.m. at The Brewing Projekt to assemble the meals for the families. Deliveries and pickups will take place later that evening and the following day. Meals include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberries, rolls, and pie. The club also includes the turkey bag and pan for cooking.
Rotary is a service organization made up of more than 1.2 million individuals united worldwide to provide humanitarian aid and help build goodwill in the world. The Rotary Club of Eau Claire meets weekly at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club at 12:00 p.m. In addition to meetings, the club participates in regular service events and holds socials amongst members and potential members. To obtain further information on club sponsorship and service projects, please visit www.eauclairerotary.org.
