GREEN BAY, Wis. — While the Packers were away this Thanksgiving playing in Detroit, Titletown was still a busy place this turkey day.

It was a hectic holiday for volunteers with Christian Outreach. They prepared to deliver 3,000 Thanksgiving dinners. 

What You Need To Know

  • Christian Outreach distributed 3,000 meals on Thanksgiving

  • Many volunteers say this event is part of their Thanksgiving Day ritual

  • Some fans chose to watch the Packers with other fans on Thanksgiving

Jessica Zeitler, President of Christian Outreach said volunteering to help others is part of her holiday ritual.

"It's a way for me to give back and my family's involved as well. My daughter is here with me helping at the command center, and my parents and husband come and help pack up the route. So it's become our tradition, this is our Thanksgiving," Zeitler said.

Casey King has volunteered with Christian Outreach for thirty years. He said it’s important to serve those in need before himself on Thanksgiving.

"It's our way of giving back to the community and trying to make Thanksgiving a special day for a lot of people that normally wouldn't have a special day. So, we're trying to make it a little extra special for them," King said.

To deliver thousands of meals, lots of hands are needed to remove silver food trays from serving racks, stack and assemble the trays, and bag the trays along with directions.

Zeitler said Lambeau Field is a big help to this assembly line.

"We're able to do what we need to do in a streamlined manner. Also, we've formed relationships with the Packers. It's our Thanksgiving family," Zeitler said.

While some enjoy a holiday meal at home with family and friends, others like Scott Champion choose to break bread at Stadium View Sports Bar. He said the only thing better than watching the Packers play on Thanksgiving is watching the green and gold play surrounded by other fans.

"We watch most of the games at some bar. I like the excitement that you get when you're out watching it somewhere versus at home," Champion said.

As Champion cheered on the Packers this Thanksgiving, he said those who can't spend the holiday with family aren't far from his mind.

"I'm thankful for many things, people who fight for our country and give us the freedoms that we have great friends and healthy family," Champion said.

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