A Thanksgiving tradition for the needy continues in Chesapeake, modified for the pandemic

CHESAPEAKE — For a decade, Nischelle Buffalow has served up a giant Thanksgiving meal in South Norfolk, ladling out spoonfuls of yams and slices of turkey and ham to those in need.

This year, the pandemic has changed much about the way we celebrate the holiday. But Buffalow said the need remains to help those who otherwise may not get a hearty meal.

So like every year, Buffalow, her family and friends prepared massive amounts of green beans, macaroni and cheese, cranberries, ham, turkey, dressing, applesauce and dessert. This time, it just looks a little different.

Instead of serving lines, individually boxed meals ready for pickup. Instead of people gathered together, a drive-thru — safe for the pandemic.

On Thanksgiving Day, a handful of volunteers gathered under tents in the parking lot of BFF Community Pantry off Bainbridge Boulevard. They stuffed bags with boxed meals, condiments, water and masks, ready to be driven in batches to senior homes throughout Chesapeake.

After one group of volunteers finished, the next one came in — tables sanitized between teams.

Under another tent, volunteers Davaline Perry and Sharon Powell passed out meals to people as they walked up.

“How many you need?” Powell asked.

“Three,” a woman said, holding up three fingers.

“We got you right here,” Perry said, handing over the bags.

Buffalow began the annual tradition in 2010 when she couldn’t find any soup kitchens in Chesapeake that served a hot meal on Thanksgiving. Much of South Norfolk sits in a “food desert,” with the nearest grocery stores not easily accessible by foot.

“It’s a service that we think is needed here in Chesapeake,” Buffalow said. “We want to make sure everyone has a home-cooked meal for the holiday.”

Buffalow served 25 people that first year. By last year, that swelled to 800.

This year, volunteers began delivering boxed meals to seniors and veterans on Wednesday. Between deliveries and Thursday’s drive-thru, organizers said 1,100 meals were accounted for, and they were prepared to serve up to 1,300 — their largest Thanksgiving to date.

The event has grown so much that it now has community sponsors. Chesapeake Regional Healthcare donated more than 100 turkeys this year, Buffalow said, and food was prepared with the help of Now You’re Cooking Culinary Studio.

Buffalow’s outreach extends beyond the holiday. She and her volunteers partnered with the cooking school this year to serve hot meals to kids during the pandemic. From March to October, they served about 250 children daily, Buffalow said.

Volunteers also have been delivering groceries and daily essentials — such as toilet paper and paper towels — to seniors during the pandemic.

Buffalow began something new this year, too. To help store donated goods, she got a storefront and started the BFF Community Pantry.

The pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for the fourth Wednesday of the month, when Buffalow and several other organizations host a mobile food pantry.

On Thursday, the 11th Thanksgiving dinner, Buffalow said it was amazing to see how the event has expanded over the years: “It’s great to be out here serving.”

Near Perry and Powell’s tent, a man parked his car and walked over.

“Y’all the drive-thru?” he asked.

Powell handed him a meal.

“You have a good day,” she said.

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Help out

To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit buffalowfamily.org.

Margaret Matray, 757-222-5216, margaret.matray@pilotonline.com