Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a long time Thanksgiving tradition will continue this year in the Quad Cities.
Bob Vogelbaugh, known as Mr. Thanksgiving, says his 49th annual community Thanksgiving dinner will be offered as a drive-thru.
The meal will still be at the SouthPark Mall in Moline, but it will be in the parking lot instead of inside of the mall itself.
On Thanksgiving Day, guests will receive free, pre-packaged dinners in their cars. Vogelbaugh says shifting from a sit-down meal that serves thousands to carry-out is a lot of work, but he says it’s worth it.
“I don’t care what your walks of life are, or what your financial status is,” Vogelbaugh said at a Wednesday’s press conference. “If you can bring some good to people for a few short hours, I feel that it’s well worth the headache you go through ahead of time.”
No outside volunteers will be used this year, to stay in line with safety protocols. KWQC-TV 6 reports Hy-Vee employees will be helping with the food preparation. Vogelbaugh says any leftovers will be donated to a few churches in Moline.
If you want to donate to the annual meal, you can send a check payable to “Mr. Thanksgiving” to 3704 26th Street in Moline.
(Photo: KWQC-TV 6)