Free take-out turkey meals were abundant across the Alle-Kiski Valley region Thanksgiving Day.

Traditional dine-in meals at area churches were off the table this year due to covid-19 restrictions, but individuals, businesses and churches stepped in, giving meaning to the “give” in Thanksgiving.

Turkey With A Twist

Spice Affair Indian Cuisine co-owners and siblings Barinder and Opinder Singh offered free Indian-inspired turkey meals to the public Thursday.

They worked the day before Thanksgiving, cooking large amounts of turkey tikka masala and baking fresh Naan bread for anyone needing a meal or help during the holiday season, said Barinder Singh.

The brothers opened their eatery on Brilliant Avenue in Aspinwall in 2016, and have endured a difficult economic climate since March, but said giving to others remains a priority.

“We totally understand communities are going through hard times because of the pandemic, and that’s why we’re doing the free meals,” Barinder Singh said.

Spice Affair fielded about 18 turkey meal pre-orders before opening on Thanksgiving.

The brothers are urging anyone who needs assistance, anytime, to reach out via Spice Affair’s Facebook page or by calling the restaurant.

They credit their Sikh religious beliefs as a driving force behind their desire to give back to their community.

“We are all in this together,” Barinder said. “Humanity can bring a community together.”

Friends Forge A New Outreach

Molly O’Brien of O’Hara Township and Bethanie Stein of Aspinwall joined foodie forces to package and deliver free turkey-for-one meals to more than 30 Pittsburghers in the Fox Chapel and surrounding areas on Thanksgiving Day.

The close friends organized the free meal delivery when they heard Cornerstone Restaurant in Aspinwall was offering scaled-down turkey-for-one ($20) meals this year to customers in response to covid-19 restrictions.

Cornerstone owner Erin Connolly was on hand Thursday to help the women orchestrate a smooth delivery process.

“I’m appreciate of their support of small business,” Connolly said. “In the past, we sold large turkey meals and whole turkeys but we felt it would be different and people wouldn’t be gathering, so we put together this meal-for-one and we’ve had great success with it.”

Stein said their decision to create what they hope to be an annual tradition was an easy one.

“I think 2020 is the year more than ever to celebrate empathy and be more empathetic to those in need,” Stein said.

The ladies said meal requests were fielded from individuals living alone, those unable to cook a traditional turkey meal or share Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.

The friends covered the costs of all requested meals, which included a homemade card and fresh flower accent provided by local florist Anne Dickson of Fox and the Fleur.

“We had the most wonderful outpouring of generosity from our community,” said O’Brien of the outreach, which was organized in a matter of days. “Everyone we delivered to was so grateful. I’m glad we were able to combat some of the loneliness and anxiety that was part of the holiday.”

The women said they plan to organize a similar outreach in December for the Christmas season, and aim to deliver turkey meals again next year.

“I want everybody to be able to feel the magic of the holiday season, even if they’re without their family,” O’Brien said.

Turkey Tradition

More than 20 church volunteers at Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Leechburg distributed 210 free turkey meals on Thursday, the highest number to date, since offering a Thanksgiving dinner 11 years ago.

Normally a sit-down meal shared inside the church fellowship hall, covid-19 restrictions forced a take-out and delivery situation this year.

Organizer Jamie Rimmel said it’s a disappointment the dine-in meal was canceled, but she’s pleased with the hearty response from the community.

“Part of our mission is to share the meal together each year, but we can’t do that inside the church. I hope this will bring some comfort to them while they are enjoying their meals,” Rimmel said.

Two 10-hour days of meal prep involved roasting 11 turkeys.

“Our numbers have increased, which means that people have made decisions to stay at home,” Rimmel said.

Second Season Of Giving

St. Mary’s Parish in Freeport continued its free take-out and delivery Thanksgiving Day turkey meal program for a second year, to record numbers.

“I have seven drivers out delivering and this year we served more than 190 meals,” said pastoral associate Bill Girardi.

Anyone in the community was eligible for the free meal.

“We didn’t want anyone to go without a meal on Thanksgiving Day,” Girardi said.

More than 20 volunteers cooked 19 turkeys over a two-day period.

It’s the second year for the free turkey meals and Girardi said the response has been positive.

“Our mission statement is to reach out to Freeport and beyond,” Girardi said.

Marianne Merek of North Huntingdon picked up 10 meals to deliver to elderly indiviuals in Irwin.

“This is your faith in action. I don’t care if your Jewish, Protestant or Catholic,” Marek said.

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