The November 18, 1898 Argus-Democrat reported that in 1897, the Charitable Union organization had tried something new! Instead of serving a dinner for the poor, they asked for “pound” donations of groceries (e.g. canned vegetables). It was such a success that they were doing it again in 1898! Folks were asked to leave their donations with Mrs. Parker, at the corner of E. Ann and S. Fifth. I’m presuming that she lived in the house there? And everyone knew it? For donating clothes, folks were asked to donate according to their wards, and various women’s names were listed alongside their respective wards. No addresses were given, so maybe everyone just knew where they lived or at least how to find them. That is sort of sweet, but a little scary when viewed through modern paranoia.

Happy Thanksgiving from 2014!