MEC hosts free meal for veterans

Published 8:50 am Thursday, November 21, 2019

CASSOPOLIS — A local business said a Thanksgiving-themed “thank you” to area veterans Wednesday.

From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Cassopolis-based energy cooperative Midwest Energy and Communications teamed up with the Cassopolis Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary to host a Thanksgiving meal for local veterans and their friends and families at the Cassopolis VFW, 131 S. Broadway St. Additionally, MEC donated $2,000 for electrical upgrades at the VFW. 

The lunch, which featured deep-fried turkeys, baked hams, traditional Thanksgiving sides and dessert, was provided free of charge, though donations were accepted.

MEC has partnered for the last three years with the auxiliary to host the Thanksgiving meal, which typically sees between 150 and 200 patrons. Wednesday, several MEC volunteers donned aprons and went to work inside of the VFW’s kitchen to prepare and serve the meal.

“We love to give back, and this is just one way that we do it,” said Lori Ruff, MEC representative. “This is a Thanksgiving tradition for us.”

As a local business, Ruff said MEC officials feel it is important to give back to the community.

“It is absolutely important to give back, especially to our local servicemen and servicewomen who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms,” she said. “This Thanksgiving feast is a simple way for us to give back and say ‘thank you.’”

President of the auxiliary, Nancy Triestram, said she was grateful to MEC for helping to host the Thanksgiving meal. In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, the auxiliary hosts a meal from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday for veterans and their families. Triestram said the meals are a small way for the auxiliary to show appreciation to local veterans and foster a sense of community within the VFW.

“We want the veterans to know that we appreciate what they do, and we like to do what we can to give back,” Triestram said. “We are thankful for our veterans, our old and our new. This is our way of giving back and Midwest’s way of showing that they are here for us.”

The veterans who attended Wednesday’s meal said they appreciated the gesture from both MEC and the auxiliary. Longtime friends, veterans and Cassopolis residents Mike King, 72, and Alvernon Danzy, 86, both attended the Thanksgiving meal for the second year in a row Wednesday.

“It’s a very nice meal,” King said. “I think the veterans appreciate it overall, and their family and friends.”