Bemidji United Way volunteers prepare 800 Thanksgiving meals for those in need

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 8.jpg — United Way of Bemidji Area volunteers dish up the stuffing on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, while preparing Thanksgiving meals at Bar 209.

By Maggi Fellerman

November 23, 2023 at 7:30 AM

BEMIDJI 鈥� Members of the United Way of Bemidji Area and dozens of volunteers gathered at Bar 209 this week, but not for a usual dine-in experience.

Instead, they could be found back in the kitchen as they prepared hundreds of Thanksgiving meals for low-income families in Bemidji.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 6.jpg — United Way of Bemidji Area volunteer Mallory Arnold stirs the cranberries on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, while preparing Thanksgiving meals at Bar 209.

It all started a couple of years ago when Bar 209 owners Brett and Derek Leach started preparing Thanksgiving meals for families that needed them the most. But having never done something like it before, they overestimated the amount of food to make and called the United Way of Bemidji Area to help them distribute the extra meals.

Since then, Bar 209 has been partnering with the United Way and has brought in a large number of volunteers each year to help distribute hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to families in need.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 2.jpg — Bar 209 co-owner Derek Leach prepares Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Bar 209.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 7.jpg — Bar 209 co-owner Brett Leach teaches volunteers the ropes on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, while preparing Thanksgiving meals at Bar 209.

A big Thanksgiving meal is meant to bring family and friends together to express gratitude and thanks. The restaurant-quality meals are free to low-income families while volunteers even go the extra mile to deliver them on Thanksgiving morning.

The United Way invests local funds to support Partner Agency programs and services that help support local families. the Boys and Girls Club, Village of Hope and the Bemidji Community Food Shelf.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 4.jpg — United Way of Bemidji Area Executive Director Denae Alamano visits with volunteers before preparing Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Bar 209.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 11.jpg — A United Way volunteer works on making mashed potatoes on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, while preparing Thanksgiving meals at Bar 209.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 10.jpg — United Way of Bemidji Area volunteers dish up the stuffing on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, while preparing Thanksgiving meals at Bar 209.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 1.jpg — United Way of Bemidji Area volunteers stir the mashed potatoes while prepping Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Bar 209.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 3.jpg — Turkeys are ready to be parceled out for Thanksgiving meals prepared by United Way of Bemidji Area volunteers on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Bar 209.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 9.jpg — United Way of Bemidji Area volunteers dish up the stuffing on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, while preparing Thanksgiving meals at Bar 209.

112523.N.BP.THANKSGIVINGMEALS 5.jpg — United Way of Bemidji Area volunteers prepare Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Bar 209.

By Maggi Fellerman

Maggi is a reporter at the Bemidji Pioneer focusing on outdoor and human interest stories. Raised in Aitkin, Minnesota, Maggi is a graduate of Bemidji State University's class of 2022 with a degree in Mass Communication.