LINCOLN -- For the seventh year, Burger Land owner Doris Spindler spent her Thanksgiving morning with family and friends making sure to give back to others.
The restaurant gave away about 500 Thanksgiving meals Thursday to families and others from as far away as Springdale. Others traveled from Siloam Springs, Farmington, Prairie Grove, and Westville and Stilwell, Okla.
Spindler started the tradition because so many people had helped her when her son was sick. Spindler spent about a year at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with her son and countless people helped her during that time.
The first year Spindler gave away about 460 meals and offered the dinners as a way to pay back. It was so successful and she received such positive comments from the gesture that she decided to do it again the next year.
"I continue it every year to pay it forward," Spindler said.
About 25 adults and children volunteered Thanksgiving Day dishing up turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing and other fixings to fill to-go plates. However, many others helped throughout the week and the night before, Spindler said. Some donated money as they picked up their meals and others in the community donated food and money for the benefit.
Burger Land's food supplier, Ben and Keith Food Distribution of North Little Rock, donated 18 turkey breasts. Terry Smith with the company was volunteering Thursday along the food line.
"It's refreshing the way everyone pitches in to help," Smith said. "There's no way one person could do this."
Smith said his thank you was seeing smiles on people's faces as they left with their Thanksgiving meals.
Robert Raines of Lincoln has helped every year.
"The Lord blesses you and you are to go out and bless others," Raines said.
Tim Amundeson of West Fork heard about the giveaway through a friend and has volunteered for two years.
Kandis Craig picked up several dinners and said she appreciated the thoughtfulness of Burger Land.
"I think more people should do it," Craig said.
Nita of Lincoln picked up one meal for herself and said she does not have any family and the meal helped her for the day.
"It's hard being an orphan," said Nita (who declined to give her last name).
Spindler said she decided to provide the free meals on Thanksgiving Day because many organizations help out prior to the holiday.
"We do it from 9-11 (a.m.) and then our volunteers have time to go home and spend the rest of the day with their family."
General News on 11/30/2016