FINDLAY, Ohio — The City Mission of Findlay gathered local organizations together this Thanksgiving to help give the community the holiday they deserved.
After a lot of requests for warm meals on Thanksgiving, Mariam Ibarra, the food service manager of City Mission, got to work.
"We came up and we got three facilities to make sure that everybody got a hot meal," Ibarra said.
City Mission distributed food through a pickup window and dining at its building, while meals were also handed out at Gateway Church and Hufford Funeral Home. It helped out those struggling during the holidays.
"I think it keeps the hopes up for the families and the morale. You used to have those less fortunate that couldn't afford the groceries. Now you have people living paycheck by paycheck making sure all their bills are getting paid," said Ibarra. "But come grocery time or come a holiday season like this, a meal is really important. You want to make sure everybody gets a hot meal. It doesn't matter what their circumstances are. "
Because of inflation, affording their typical Thanksgiving feast may be difficult for some families. People like Alexia Bias, who helped donate food, understand that community members are facing struggles this year.
"It has been a crazy year. Times are just really hard right now for everybody," said Bias. "Money's tight and if you can help, I feel like you should be able to help. "
Mike Kisseberth, a volunteer, said he enjoys helping out and making sure people have the opportunity to spend the holidays with others and with a full stomach.
But it's not just today that City Mission is helping residents.
"I come in here three times a week. I work with them doing things," Kisseberth said. "To watch this chaos take place every day and these people are just here to do it. It's awesome."
City Mission of Findlay had about 75 turkeys made this year, almost double from last year's 40.
The Mission is open 24/7 and if you want to donate food or volunteer, you can find more information on its website at this link.
