LAURIUM – Thanksgiving dinner may be a bit easier for some this year. The Keweenaw Health Foundation (KHF) announced a $5,000 donation to the CLK Food Pantry to provide Thanksgiving meals for local families in need.

In partnership with the CLK Food Pantry, a Thanksgiving Meal Drive-Thru distribution will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church, located at 26016 Depot Street in Calumet.

A release from KHF says the funds will be used to purchase complete holiday dinners, including a turkey and all the fixing, ensuring that families and community members can enjoy a warm, traditional meal during a time when many are facing financial hardship.

“I know there’s a lot of people who need it,” KHF Executive Director Jenn Jenich-Laplander said. “We’re just glad that we could pull it off.”

Jenich-Laplander said there is no registration or proof of income requirements.

“No questions asked,” she said.

Jenich-Laplander said the meals are substantial for a for a family.

“The turkeys are anywhere between 18 and 20 pounds,” Jenich-Laplander said, “and it comes with mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, the vegetables, and the dessert.”

Pastor Jared Howard, board chair of the CLK Council of Churches Food Pantry said the CLK Food Pantry is incredibly thankful for KHF’s generosity.

“The demand for food assistance continues to rise, and this donation allows us to meet that need in a meaningful way,” Howard said in the release. “For many families, this meal will bring hope and comfort at a time when it’s needed most.”

For more information, call Jen Jenich-Laplander at 906.337.6541 (internal extension 19541)

The CLK Food Pantry is operated by the CLK Council of Churches. It provides year-round food assistance to individuals and families throughout the Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw area. The pantry distributes a variety of nonperishable items, fresh produce, and essential goods to ensure that community members have access to nutritious food when they need it most.

Regular food distribution takes place every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 57031 5th Street, Calumet