Niles-Maine Library Staff Donates 64 Thanksgiving Dinners

The Niles-Maine District Library Staff donated 64 Thanksgiving dinner bags to Niles Family Services on Thursday, November 21. Each dinner bag includes a $25 gift card to a local grocery store (for purchasing turkey, gravy, and other miscellaneous items), stuffing, bread mix, mixed vegetables, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. The total value of the gift cards alone equals $1,600 and over 500 pounds of non-perishable goods. All funds and goods were donated exclusively by library staff members.

“It really reflects how much the library staff cares about the community,” said Executive Director, Susan Dove Lempke. “Everybody contributed what they were able to and I think we all love knowing that families in the community will get to enjoy the holiday, too.”

The effort started in 2011 when the Library Director at the time heard that Niles Family Services needed more goods to help feed families in the community during the holidays.

Library staff aimed to break last year’s record of 63 Thanksgiving dinner bags. When library staff realized they were going to tie last year’s count, a staff member put together one more bag which resulted in a new goal to surpass next year. Hopefully, that excitement will pale in comparison to the feelings of joy the bags will bring to the families that receive them.