By Zack Frink

The Dayton Young Black Professionals (DYBP) are organizing a holiday meal giveaway. The West Dayton Give Back: Give Thanks Initiative will provide prepackaged meals at Wesley Community Center on Nov. 25 from noon to 3 p.m.

The meal giveaway will use Wesley’s parking lot to distribute meals in a drive-through fashion to ensure safety in light of the coronavirus pandemic. DYBP organized the initiative in response to the Dayton Convention Center canceling this year’s Thanksgiving Feast of Giving event.

“We know that there are people who depend on our community for a holiday meal,” said Daj’za Demmings, DYBP’s executive director, in a statement. “Let us all come together to play a part in contributing to our village when it is needed the most.”

DYBP plans on distributing 250-300 holiday meals with desserts and winter kits during the event.

Dinners will include turkey, ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and more. The desserts are cake and cookies. Water and juice are provided with the meals to wash down food.

The winter kits feature toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, hand warmers, feet warmers and a mask.

DYBP is also encouraging churches, businesses and organizations in the Miami Valley area to help people who are food insecure or live in food deserts.