The Waterloo Lions Club has hosted its “Share the Feast” event for many years, offering Thanksgiving meals to all those  in need of good food and friendly company over the holiday.

This year’s event was the best yet, according to club members.

“This was our best turnout ever,” Waterloo Lions Club member Ruth Ann Mueller said. “We had so many volunteer helpers, it was just unbelievable.”

Mueller said Waterloo and Valmeyer club members joined together on this special day, and they received help from all age groups to pull off the Thanksgiving feast held inside the Ss. Peter & Paul School cafeteria.

“Everyone worked well with each other to prepare this meal and had fun doing so,” Mueller said.

Total numbers were up from previous years. There were 86 meals delivered to people in Waterloo, Valmeyer and Columbia, while an estimated 150 diners ate in the school cafeteria.

There were also 40 carry-outs, adding up to a grand total of 276 meals served.

Ruth Ann Mueller has been planning these dinners along with her husband, Ron, for 15 years.

And even though this year’s event fell on her birthday, Ruth Ann said she couldn’t think of anything better to do on Thanksgiving.

“All of us had a good feeling in our heart when we left,  knowing that we did something good and nice for someone else,” she said.

The Waterloo Lions are grateful to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church for allowing use of the cafeteria and kitchen.

The club also wished to thank all those who donated pies, volunteered their time, or helped in any way to make this event a success.

“Thank you also to Schnucks for their monetary donation and to Jeff and Denise Vogt from JV’s for baking the turkeys and helping with other supplies,” Mueller said.