Volunteers spent part of their Saturday cooking and handing out free spaghetti dinners to people in North Webster. The curbside service was served to people in waiting cars. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER —  The North Webster community hosted a free Italian meal giveaway Saturday, April 18, outside Milestones Early Education Center in North Webster.

Cleverly called “Milestones Mama Mia,” the curbside spaghetti dinner was for intended for families in need. Cars started lining up before 5 p.m. so volunteers started distributing the free meals. By 5 p.m., 60 spaghetti meals were already handed out.

The goal was to serve 400 meals by 7 p.m. Sixteen volunteers helped cook and handed out the free meals. Food was cooked inside the North Webster day care.

People received a meal containing pasta, corn, water, a breadstick and dessert.

The organizers said it was one way to give back to the community during this time of need.

“We had no problem getting help; everybody wanted to help,” said Melissa Small, one of the volunteers.

Monetary donations were also accepted. Organizers also plan to give back to the community in another way: The Boomerang Backpack program for Wawasee students.

Twelve sponsors helped fund the free meals, including North Webster Church of God and Milestones.

“We wanted to give back,” said Crystal Smith, director of Milestones.

One of the recipients, Vicki Jernigan, said a free meal was “like a kiss from heaven.”

Cooking up pasta are Ryanne Drabenstott, left, and Rhett Cook. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart

Brooklynn Gibson, left, and Haylee Allen helped take food to waiting cars today, Saturday, April 18, in North Webster. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart

Melissa Small gets free meals ready to hand out in North Webster Saturday, April 18. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart

Vicki Jernigan, left, receives a free meal from Heather Coy. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart

Dustin Sieglinger received a free meal from Jim Smith. He said getting the spaghetti dinner was “awesome.” InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart