Community dinner served in Elgin

Evelyn Delli got a group of 11 people together Sunday to go to the Have a Heart Community Dinner in Elgin.

Delli has been friends with a couple of them for 60 years, since they went to school together. She danced with some of the others in Elgin’s Lords and Ladies square dancing club when it was still running.

Sunday was a chance for everyone to come together again.

“I like to see people and be with the crowd,” Delli said.

Some in Delli’s group came from as far as Arlington Heights and made a day of it, with an afternoon of games following the meal.

This is the second year Jeff Turner, owner of In the Neighborhood Deli, has taken the lead organizing the Valentine’s Day meal. He also coordinates a Thanksgiving meal and two summer dinners. Turnout was a little lower than expected, with between 400 and 500 people instead of the 1,000 Turner hoped for, but those who came got food, friendly company and face painting for the kids.

Dozens of volunteers helped prepare and serve the community dinner, and then clean up afterward. Though desserts were collected throughout the week, volunteers cooked 80 percent of the main course Sunday.

John Riedle owns a catering business and teamed up with Turner, his business competitor, for the event. He said their professional rivalry doesn’t stop either one from putting their culinary skills to use.

“My gift is to be shared,” Riedle said. “If I don’t share it, I’m not happy.”

The meal lasted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

Turner said the leftover food will go to the Crisis Center.

“All the food gets eaten,” Turner said, “just not always here.”

The next community meal will be held June 4.