Mpls. Firefighters, Meals On Wheels, Deliver Thanksgiving Meals to 70 Families
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – For some families, the holidays can be a tough time to put food on the table. This Thanksgiving, some Twin Cities firefighters wanted to make sure families in need could celebrate.
"We thought, let's deliver some meals in Minneapolis," Minneapolis Fire Department Chief John Fruetel said. "That would be something special."
More than 40 Minneapolis firefighters were busy packaging meals Thursday morning with the help of Meals On Wheels.
"It's something that's really humbling to know that there are people who may not have had a good Thanksgiving meal if we weren't able to do this," Minneapolis Fire Department assistant chief of administration Bryan Tyner said.
Once the meals were prepped and boxed, 10 fire rigs were sent all over the city to surprise the families.
Koletta Brown, who lives in north Minneapolis, thanked the firefighters as they dropped off her family's meal.
"It made my day," Brown said. "It's a nice help to me and it's nice the fire department came and brought it."
Fruetel said the families get the "real deal" Thanksgiving: turkey, rolls, potatoes, pie, milk, juice, and other items.
In a week where tensions have been high amid protest in the city, it's a reminder to give thanks for family and the generosity of strangers.
"To able to just take a break from that and let people enjoy their time with their families and enjoy the holiday," Tyner said.
The firefighters handed out Thanksgiving meals to more than 70 families. To get involved or donate to Meals On Wheels, visit them online.