Restaurateur Thanks Community
Posted: November 27, 2009 at 4:32 a.m.
Becky Brady, left, and Burgerland owner Doris Spindler dish up one of 500 free Thanksgiving dinners given away at the restaurant in Lincoln on Thursday.
LINCOLN — Burgerland Owner Doris Spindler gave thanks to her community on Thursday by handing out nearly 500 Thanksgiving meals.
The Lincoln resident said she wanted to give back to her community for showing its support when she needed it the most.
“My son had cancer in 2005 and everyone pitched in to help,” she said. “We couldn’t have made it without them. This is just my little way of paying it forward.”
Spindler spent the past two weeks collecting donations from area residents and posting flyers in restaurant windows. The response she received from customers was overwhelming.
“You’d be amazed at how many people donated $20, $50 or $100,” she said. “I didn’t even have to ask them. Most people didn’t want any recognition. They just wanted to help because that’s the kind of town this is.”
Though she initially planned to distribute 400 meals, Spindler made a last minute trip to the store so she could feed even more people. The meals, given to anyone with “no questions asked,” included turkey, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes a roll and a slice of pumpkin pie. Food was cooked and distributed by area volunteers from 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Prairie Grove resident Kandy McClelland said she assisted Spindler by donating her culinary skills.
“I’ve always felt blessed, but this experience has made me feel even more blessed,” she said. “It will do your heart good.”
Located at 802 E. Pridemore Drive, Burgerland has been in business for nearly 40 years. Spindler took over ownership about a year ago and has since become acquainted with customers on a first-name basis.
Among the donors who made Thursday’s meal distribution possible was restaurant regular Gary Reed.
“I eat my breakfast, lunch and supper there,” he said. “When I saw that they were collecting donations, I wanted to help. I think they were pretty surprised at how many people pitched in.”
McClelland said she and other volunteers plan to raise even more funding for next year’s event.
“There’s a huge need in our community,” she said. “We have a waiting list of more than 60 people. We just hate to turn anyone away.”
In addition to repaying her community for its support, Spindler said she hopes to inspire similar acts by others.
“This is a small town and I get hit up by people asking for money every day,” she said. “I never turn anyone away. This year, I could only afford to make a certain number of meals, but next year I hope to give out even more. I can’t feed the world, but I sure would love to.”
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