Thanksgiving in Brainerd, Minnesota |
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Thursday, November 27, 2025: It's a Brainerd area tradition by the Brainerd American Legion, the Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Brainerd Elks Lodge and the Brainerd Eagles, making 1500 meals to be given away free on Thanksgiving.
November 28, 2024: Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers were busy putting hot turkey meals together at the American Legion. Then they were taken to fire department and law enforcement vehicles for delivery to area homes. Volunteers used their cars also for deliveries.
Group photo of volunteers that day.
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And the boxes of food just kept coming out the door. |
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(l-r) Michelle Tomiha, at Oak Crest Manor II Apartments in south Brainerd, accepted a food delivery from volunteers Meredith, Madie and Max Holmstrom and Brainerd Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Holmstrom.
Then at 10 am, there was a drive through for individuals to pick up turkey dinners. In all, about 1500 meals, with dessert, were provided at no charge to local folks. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27, 2024: Preparation for Thanksgiving at the Brainerd Legion. Volunteers were busy making salads, rolls, cranberries along with pumpkin and pecan pies. They did this in advance of preparing turkey dinners on Thanksgiving morning.
Thursday, November 23, 2023: Volunteers were in full motion preparing about 1400 meals at the Brainerd American Legion. Some 72 turkeys were cooked, along with a huge quantity of potatoes at the Legion. The Elks made stuffing and gravy. Volunteers included people from the Legion, Brainerd VFW, Brainerd Elks and Brainerd Eagles.
Another group delivered the meals to area residents. That included the Brainerd Fire Department, Crow Wing County Sheriff's deputies, the Minnesota State Patrol, Brainerd police, Baxter police and enthusiastic community volunteers. Later, there was a drive-through pickup by individuals until the food ran out. Expenses were covered by businesses and local people.
Another group delivered the meals to area residents. That included the Brainerd Fire Department, Crow Wing County Sheriff's deputies, the Minnesota State Patrol, Brainerd police, Baxter police and enthusiastic community volunteers. Later, there was a drive-through pickup by individuals until the food ran out. Expenses were covered by businesses and local people.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023: Preparations began for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The event takes place at the Brainerd American Legion. Volunteers are from the Legion, Brainerd VFW, Elks Lodge and Eagles Club. Meals are prepared and then are taken to area residences by volunteers or law enforcement agencies. Some are picked up by those wanting a great Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.
Thursday, November 24, 2022: Some 1166 meals were prepared at the Brainerd American Legion for home delivery or pick-up. Deliveries were aided by the Brainerd Fire Department, Brainerd Police Department and Crow Wing County Sheriff's Departments, along with the Baxter Police Department.
This Community Thanksgiving is a joint effort by the Brainerd American Legion, the Brainerd VFW, the Brainerd Eagles and the Brainerd Elks. There are signup sheets at all four organizations.
This Community Thanksgiving is a joint effort by the Brainerd American Legion, the Brainerd VFW, the Brainerd Eagles and the Brainerd Elks. There are signup sheets at all four organizations.
2022 volunteers. Photo by Christine Casperson.
November 25, 2021: Preparation of 1145 Thanksgiving dinners at the Brainerd American Legion on November 25th was a success. As a community effort, additional contributions came from the Brainerd Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Brainerd Elks, and the Brainerd Eagles. Freewill donations helped further defray costs too. It was all about volunteers and local organizations helping the community. Excess food went to Adult and Teen Challenge. Thank you also to the Brainerd Police Department, the Baxter Police Department, the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol for helping to deliver 745 of the meals to area residents. The rest were by contactless drive by pickup at the Legion.
In the center of the photo is Brainerd Senior Vice Commander Dave Meyer carrying food packages. Additional volunteers from the Brainerd VFW were Stan Borle and Richard Schmidt all day Wednesday, then Chuck Hanson and the Shaun Thayer family on Thursday. About ten turkeys were cooked at the Brainerd VFW.
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The annual Brainerd Community Thanksgiving Dinner was on November 26, 2020. There was no indoor dining in 2020. Volunteers delivered thanksgiving dinners to people in the community and there was a contact-less drive-through food pickup at the Brainerd American Legion, 708 Front Street. Cars were backed up two blocks.
Volunteers and financial contributions came from the Brainerd VFW, the Brainerd Legion, the Brainerd Elks and the Brainerd Eagles. Free will donations were appreciated. Excess donations went to Adult and Teen Challenge. |
Photos below are from a previous Thanksgiving. Three sisters sang, much like the Andrew Sisters from Minnesota who entertained troops during World War Two. Nicely done!
