When Centers lost her 14-year cancer battle in 2014, her family decided to keep her legacy alive.
“She was always concerned about her neighbors,” said Kristina Centers, her daughter-in-law. “When I talked to my husband, I said, ‘God I miss what she did for her neighbors.’”
To honor Centers, Kristina and her husband, John, Monroe’s fire chief, started the Companion Cuisine in 2015. They thought they could prepare the meals in their kitchen, but when they were flooded with food requests, they knew they needed to locate a commercial kitchen. That’s when the Monroe school district offered its cafeteria.
Centers said 130 meals were served that first year, and the goal has increased by 100 meals every year since. So far this year, she said, the group has exceeded its 500-meal goal by 21 meals.
Those meals will be prepared Thursday morning in the Monroe High School cafeteria and more than 500 dinners of turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, pumpkin pie, rolls and decorated cookies, will be delivered by 20 volunteers to area residents who may not otherwise receive a Thanksgiving meal.
No one is turned down for assistance. There are no financial forms to fill out.
“It’s not up to us to judge,” Centers said. “It’s not money. It’s food. If you have a need, we will get you a meal.”
She said more than 75 turkeys will be cooked.
“It’s a lot of food,” she said. “That’s how wonderful the community has been.”
Each of the deliver bags that hold three complete microwavable meals will be decorated by area students, Centers said. In all, Centers said, more than 100 volunteers give up their Thanksgiving mornings.
“I love it when these families are showing their kids how to volunteer,” she said.
Last year, Catnip & Carrots Animal Bunch partnered with Companion Cuisine by providing goodies for all of those in need who also had family pets.
Each pet receives a can of turkey pet food and treats, she said. Centers said the volunteers will be visited by Trooper, the famous Butler County dog who survived being hit by a train.
HOW TO HELP/GET ASSISTANCE
- To donate food items and other materials, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848a4af2fa1f85-companion
- To contribute financially, a check may be written to John or Kristina Centers, or for a tax-deductible receipt, make your check written to: Catnip & Carrots Animal Bunch, P.O. Box 73, Monroe, Ohio, 45050. Note "Companion Cuisine" on the memo line if your donation is for food items or note "Animals Only" if your donation is to be used for the pet bags.
- If you are interested in volunteering on Thanksgiving morning, RSVP to https://www.facebook.com/events/266238277422071/
- If you are in need, or know someone/a family in need, of a Thanksgiving meal, message this page: https://www.facebook.com/Companion-Cuisine-Info-Page-162676808005610/
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