ROCHELLE — On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Rochelle Community Hospital hosted its annual Holiday Drive Thru Dinner for anyone in need in the community. The dinner was free and received just under 200 orders, RCH Marketing, Foundation & Organizational Development Manager Michelle LaPage said.

The menu included a choice of ham or turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, a vegetable medley, a dinner roll and cheesecake. The hospital’s food and nutrition department, volunteers and the RCH Foundation made the dinner possible. The event is in its fourth year, LaPage said. 

“We just wanted to do something to give back to the community,” LaPage said. “That includes our seniors in need and anyone else that might need a holiday dinner. I know during Thanksgiving sometimes the VFW gives out meals and so we wanted to reach out and do one of our own.”

The event’s maximum meal number was 200, and LaPage said the fact that that number was nearly met showed the need in the community. Several organizations put in large orders to the event for those they serve including Lincoln Manor, HOPE of Ogle County, Rochelle Rescue Mission and the catholic church.

“The dietary staff puts all the labor into it and then we have our volunteers upstairs handing out meals on the day we do it,” LaPage said. “The dietary staff is down there with an assembly line putting together all the meals. They always do a really great job. It just falls in line with our mission and vision of supporting the community. All of our departments do that in some way or another.”

Helping the community in more ways than just its health is part of RCH’s strategic plan, LaPage said. 

“Food insecurity is definitely something that's rising in this community,” LaPage said. “There's a lot of need on our local food pantries and this is just another way to help out with that. The community is definitely appreciative.”