Where to Buy Cooked Turkey in Billings Montana
Montana Rescue Mission won't deliver free meals this Thanksgiving
For the first time in more than 20 years, the Montana Rescue Mission will not be delivering free meals to those unable to leave their homes this Thanksgiving, but other charitable organizations in Billings are working to fill the void.
The religious nonprofit organization, which will still provide traditional turkey dinners at its Minnesota Avenue location on Thursday, opted to at least temporarily end the deliveries after facing an onerous set of requirements from its new liability insurance policy, said Denise Smith, a spokeswoman for the Rescue Mission.
Hundreds of guests visited Montana Rescue Mission for a hot Thanksgiving lunch on Thanksgiving in 2016.
The new insurance company would have required the mission to amend its policy with an insurance rider, and submit copies of driver's licenses, proof of insurance and background checks for each of the 40 to 50 volunteers who typically drive meals out to those unable to provide for themselves or travel in person to the rescue mission.
"It was cost-prohibitive for us to continue to do it," Smith said. "You have to make the decision between helping a life or paying the cost of someone volunteering."
The Montana Rescue Mission has provided free meals on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter since the 1950s, Smith said. Anyone in the community can get a free turkey dinner, and the organization does not require regular visitors to the mission to use their meal cards for the holiday feasts.
The meals are offered at the organization's community dining room at 2822 Minnesota Ave. from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, following a noon chapel service.
"It's a long-time tradition," she said.
Smith wasn't sure when they began offering free deliveries of those meals, but said it has been at least two decades.
Most of those who get deliveries are regular customers of the Meals on Wheels program provided by the Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County, Smith said. While the Rescue Mission typically helps out that program's customers for the Thanksgiving holiday, she said the Adult Resource Alliance, along with Big Sky Senior Resources, will be helping to pick up delivery shifts this year.
Smith said there will also likely be leftovers available at 3 p.m., for those who need to pick up a meal for someone unable to attend.
For others without the ability to go downtown for a Thanksgiving meal, the Billings Food Bank is also stepping up to provide free home deliveries.
In November 2018, Carl Kurokowa, right, jokes with volunteer chefs and food service professionals as they prepare 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners to be served at the Montana Rescue Mission and Billings Food Bank in the Food Bank's kitchen. The chefs are scheduled to volunteer their time and talents again this Thanksgiving.
"We are trying to get drivers and are trying to help the shut-ins that are expecting to get meals to know that we are here," said CEO Sheryle Shandy.
About 400 people visit the Food Bank, at 2112 Fourth Ave. N., for a turkey dinner each year, she said. The turkey dinners provided by both organizations are cooked in the Food Bank's Fortin Culinary Center by volunteer chefs.
Shandy asked that those who need a meal delivered contact the Food Bank before 5 p.m. Wednesday to ensure they get a meal.
Sixty sixth-graders from Elder Grove Elementary sort packaged food items donated during the 33rd Annual Holiday Food and Gift Festival as the Billings Food Bank assembles Thanksgiving food boxes for the needy in Billings.
Smith hopes the cessation of holiday meal deliveries will only be temporary, but declined to specify whether that means they are perusing a change in insurance coverage. She did say, however, that this year's Christmas meal will also likely be available only to those who show up in person or get a ride to the shelter.
"It doesn't mean we won't be able to figure out a way to do it in the future," she said.
Eating out on Thanksgiving? Here are some restaurants in Billings that will be open
Eating out on Thanksgiving? Here are some restaurants in Billings that will be open
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel, 5620 S. Frontage Road, will be open regular hours on Thanksgiving, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will serve items from their entire menu. 254-9403
Denny's
Denny's, both restaurants at 2010 Overland Drive and 501 N. 27th St., will be open for Thanksgiving. In fact, the hostess there noted that Denny's never closes. It's open 24 hours a day every day of the year, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral, 570 S. 24th St. W, will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving day serving a wide range of selections from their buffet, including a traditional fixings. 655-4453.
IHOP
IHOP, 2833 King Ave. West, will be open all day. Like Denny's the restaurant is open 24 hours and will be open on Thanksgiving serving customers. 65-8778.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
Perkins, both locations at 765 S. 20th St. West (656-6640) and 825 N. 27th St. (248-8320), will be open all day to Thanksgiving diners.
TEN
Ten at the Northern, 19 N. Broadway, will begin serving its Thanksgiving meal at noon. The meal includes turkey, prime rib and salmon with all the traditional holiday side dishes served family style. Also included is an "elaborate dessert display." The Ten will stop serving dinner at 6:30 p.m. 867-6767.
Montana Club
The Montana Club, 1791 Majestic Lane, will be serving the whole Thanksgiving spread, including the traditional turkey or prime rib. The restaurant opens at 8 a.m. and will start serving its Thanksgiving meal at 11 a.m. Its other menu items will also be available. The Montana Club closes at 7 p.m. 969-1211.
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Where to Buy Cooked Turkey in Billings Montana
Source: https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/montana-rescue-mission-wont-deliver-free-meals-this-thanksgiving/article_b2348792-51ba-52e1-8a98-e92ecae4bcd0.html
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