March 19, 2024

Culver’s to serve free dinner on Thanksgiving

Many of us will be sitting down to a large meal next Thursday and watching football. That sort of thing will happen at the Newton Culver’s restaurant as well — in a way that will require much volunteer work and preparation.

Culver’s will serve a free Thanksgiving dinner from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The charity effort, aimed toward those whose incomes are tight or who don’t have a place to go, involves several Newton-area organizations.

Culver’s owner Curt Herbig said he’s grateful for the community support the restaurant has received so far — and the support that will undoubtedly be needed in the week ahead.

“We’re grateful for this chance to help people in the community,” Herbig said. “A lot of people have asked if they can volunteer, and people can still get involved by doing things like contacting the United Way and donating desserts.”

Herbig said there are several organizations in the area that offer free meals this time of year, but it is rare to find a complete dinner served on Thanksgiving. Wal-Mart donated a gift card that is being used to purchase turkeys; the Salvation Army will be preparing the turkeys, and the United Way is helping take in donated dessert dishes. The meal will feature some of the expected side dishes as well.

“This is going to involve about 25 turkeys,” he said. “But we’ll have a lot of other things too, like pumpkin pie custard.”

Culver’s will also have its big-screen TV in the dining room tuned in so people can enjoy NFL football while they’re enjoying the meal.

Herbig said he’s especially grateful to United Way of Jasper County executive director Jessica Lowe and to Major Mikey Carter of the Salvation Army for all they’ve done with the project. He said the United Way will be accepting donated pies on Monday and Tuesday.

“We hope to make this an annual thing, if there seems to be a demand for it,” Herbig said.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the dinner can call Culver’s at 641-787-9900.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at
641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or
jbrooks@newtondailynews.com.