Donations welcome for Elgin Have a Heart dinner

The Have a Heart Dinner is the only one of the four community dinners Elgin organized by Jeff Turner, owner of In the Neighborhood Deli, that relies completely on donations from local residents and businesses.

That means it’s always a little harder to find funding, Turner said.

Two of the dinners are funded by the Elgin Community Network and Neighborhood Housing Services of the Fox Valley. The Thanksgiving meal is funded by donations with the recognition that the Salvation Army will donate the difference between what is raised and what is needed.

With Have a Heart, it’s completely up to the community. But Turner said people come through and he doesn’t expect it to be any different in this third year.

The dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, in the lower level of The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way.

Turner said the focus of the dinners has shifted over the years.

“It started out as a dinner for the needy,” Turner said. “Then a dinner for the less fortunate. ... We’ve been in a recession for four years now. When it comes down to it, everybody’s hurting.”

The dinners, Turner said, are a chance for everyone to come together as neighbors and have a good time.

There is space for up to 200 volunteers across the three shifts: 8 to 10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The menu won’t be finalized until the success of the fundraising is more clear but Turner said there will probably be ham, potatoes, vegetables, salad and bread.

Dessert donations will be accepted from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10 or 8 to 11 a.m. Feb. 12 at The Hemmens or from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 at In the Neighborhood Deli, 185 N. Edison Ave.

Owners of Responsive Mailroom, 441 Dundee Ave., donated 10,000 fliers for the Thanksgiving meal and will do so again — a major marketing boost.

The Thanksgiving dinner brought in 1,200 people, which was the biggest crowd yet. Turner said he expects even more for this year’s Have a Heart dinner and will be ready to serve 1,500.

Besides food, the Valentine’s Day dinner also will have live music. The event is free and all are welcome.

“These dinners are evolving and the community aspect is really coming out,” Turner said. “The demographics are very diverse.”

For details on how to donate or volunteer, contact Turner at itndeli@gmail.com or (847) 888-9486.