Dubuque’s Ginter Family Thanksgiving Meal Ends After 62 Years

According to a report from the Telegraph Herald, a longstanding Thanksgiving tradition in Dubuque is coming to an end. The Ginter family's annual community Thanksgiving dinner, which has been providing free meals since 1961, will no longer be held. Donna Ginter first invited a group of truckers to her home for Thanksgiving. That tradition quickly grew into a significant community event for Dubuque.

Donna and her husband Joe continued to host the dinner, which eventually moved downtown to accommodate more guests. Over the years, the Ginter family and volunteers have served or delivered approximately 2,000 meals annually, reaching over 2,500 meals in 2019.

The event has been particularly valuable for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those without a place to go. It provided two extremely important things: a warm meal and a sense of fellowship. Meal delivery services were also available for those unable to leave their homes. The gathering has symbolized Dubuque's reputation as a generous and caring community for years.

Donna Ginter's children, who have kept the tradition alive since her passing in 2013, recently announced that the 2023 meal was their last. Genny Ginter explained that while the tradition has been fulfilling, the family members are getting older and wish to spend the holiday with their families. She emphasized the gratitude felt from those who benefited from the event, especially the shut-ins who appreciated the meals and companionship.

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The community has expressed a deep sense of loss with the discontinuation of the event. It was also noted that the importance of the meal was not just the food, but the human connection it provided.

As the Ginter family concludes this chapter, they hope others in the community will step forward to fill the gap, continuing the spirit of giving that the dinner has embodied for so many years. The end of the Ginter family's Thanksgiving dinner marks a significant moment for Dubuque, closing a beloved tradition that brought warmth and togetherness to many in need of food and fellowship.