Thanksgiving dinner at Arrowhead Lanes provides community meal

By Brett McMahon

Thanksgiving is not only a time of gratitude, but also a coming together of family.

But, not everyone is able to be with family or take part in a special meal, which is what inspired David and Elisa Bolt to begin offering a Thanksgiving meal. The tradition, which will be in its tenth year in 2022, started when the Bolt family was eating their turkey-day meal at Arrowhead Lanes in Champaign with a few friends and family. Some of the bowlers that night asked if they could purchase food and the couple welcomed them to join the meal free of charge.

Since then, this annual tradition has brought as few as ten families to the bowling alley on some years, but so many on other years that the couple ran out of food and had to prepare more in order to feed everyone. It’s a tradition so strong, the couple even served during the COVID pandemic, though, Mr. Bolt says the turnout at that point was much lower than other years.

While the couple is given food from Tanya Grey at Ruler Foods, there are also some who have donated supplies for the meal. Mrs. Bolt starts preparing for the event several days in advance, then gets up early on Thanksgiving to begin cooking all the food. This year’s menu will include turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing and dessert. Meals will be available from 5-10 pm and all are welcome.

For Mr. Bolt, the meal is a way of providing a family atmosphere to those who may not otherwise be able to experience it. He also sees the meal as a way of paying it forward to help bring members of the community and surrounding areas together. The couple does not seek donations of any kind, but they do welcome any guests to bring a dish to share.

Arrowhead Lanes is located at 1401 N Mckinley Ave,. in Champaign.