WATERLOO, Iowa--Veridian Credit Union employees distributed 1,300 free Thanksgiving meals from the UAW Local 838 Union Hall here on Monday, Nov. 24, for the 44th annual Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner.
The dinner, the CU said, is one of the longest-standing credit union holiday traditions in the nation.
The event is named for the late Mike and Leona Adams. Mike was a member of the UAW Local 838 and a board member for what is now Veridian Credit Union. He and his wife, Leona, brought both organizations together to serve the inaugural free community meal in November 1982 to provide a warm meal for families during the farm crisis. Each meal includes a serving of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn and pumpkin pie.
"The Mike and Leona Adams Thanksgiving Dinner remains one of our richest, longest-standing traditions," said Veridian President and CEO Renee Christoffer. "We're grateful for Mike and Leona's legacy and the example of service they set for all of us."