Generosity leads to Happier Thanksgiving

Back Row: (left-right) Woods Supermarket Manager Denny Hensley, Fort Scott firefighter Scott Shelton, Fort Scott firefighter Drake Downing, Fort Scott Police Chief Ron Puterbaugh. Front Row: Susan Schnichels holding granddaughter Mylee Morris, Betty Wiggans holding Donald Morris, and Fort Scott Police officer Craig Rice. (Michael Pommier/Tribune)

One Fort Scott family's Thanksgiving plans just got bigger with a generous donation of groceries.

On Tuesday, Fort Scott police officers and firefighters delivered groceries to Susan Schnichels in Fort Scott who was in need of assistance.

"This is nice, I just couldn't believe it," Schnichels said.

Schnichels, along with her mother Betty Wiggans, supports a 3-year-old grandson and a 18-month-old granddaughter in their Fort Scott home. She said she was planning a small Thanksgiving dinner with just the four of them but quickly changed plans when finding out about the donation on Saturday.

"After Officer (Craig) Rice called me then I decided I can invite all my grandkids and all my kids," Schnichels said. "So that's what we're going to do."

It has been difficult for Schnichels since her husband died of cancer a couple years ago. She said this donation can now help her bring about 20 family members, including nine grandchildren, to her home this year.

"It's nice, now I can have a big dinner like we used to," Schnichels said.

Rice began helping families in 2001 by placing a box in the lobby of the Fort Scott Police Department where officers can donate groceries. Since then, the Fort Scott Fire Department has also taken part. In addition, Woods Supermarket donates a turkey and a ham.

Rice said this year was not as productive as previous years, but hopes for a better response as Christmas approaches.

"I usually pick two families for Thanksgiving, and two families for Christmas," Rice said. "This year has been hectic, I could only pick one family for Thanksgiving. Maybe for Christmas I will get two."