Indianapolis, IN
Kountry Kitchen’s annual Christmas outreach to provide thousands of meals
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Kountry Kitchen, a beloved Indianapolis restaurant, will serve more than 3,000 free meals to the community on Christmas Day as part of its annual outreach program. This initiative, started in 2008, continues to grow with the support of local partners.
Cynthia Wright-Wilson, the owner of Kountry Kitchen, emphasized the restaurant’s commitment to giving back, stating, “We just wanted to give back to the community because the community has been so good to Country Kitchen through thick and thin.” The outreach program began with a goal to feed 500 people and has dramatically increased, providing 2,300 meals in 2011 and more than 3,000 in 2016 in partnership with organizations like Toys for Tots.
The Christmas outreach began in 2008 when Cynthia and her husband, Isaac, aimed to feed 500 people. With the help of friends and volunteers, they doubled their goal, serving 1,200 meals on that first occasion. Volunteers worked tirelessly, with a remarkable 21-hour preparation period leading up to the event.
In 2016, Toys for Tots collaborated with Kountry Kitchen, enhancing the outreach by not only providing meals but also distributing toys to children in need. This partnership allowed the restaurant to continue expanding its efforts each year, reinforcing the importance of community assistance during the holiday season.
Cynthia describes the mission as family-oriented and inclusive, stating, “It’s about family.” The outreach not only serves meals but also provides essential winter items like hats and gloves for families in need.
During this year’s event, Kountry Kitchen will serve traditional holiday dishes including fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and desserts sponsored by local businesses. Patrick, an active volunteer and family member, expressed the excitement of seeing families receiving toys and meals: “Seeing those kids walk away with the toys was so exciting, you know.”
To participate in this community outreach, individuals can volunteer their time, request a meal, or make financial donations. Cynthia encourages community involvement, mentioning, “In order to volunteer, receive food, or donate, you can go to countrykitchenindy.com, go to the events tab and you’ll see three different forms.”
This year, Kountry Kitchen expects to serve more than 3,000 meals on Christmas Day, continuing its tradition of community service. Volunteers are welcome to join the effort and donations are being accepted to support the outreach.
For more information and details, visit Kountry Kitchen website.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana State Police have arrested a man in connection with two attacks, including one deadly, near Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month.
29-year-old Michael Willis is facing two counts of attempted murder. Police say that the attacks happened on June 19 and June 26, both happening on N Senate Ave. near Monument Circle.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by News 8, on June 19, Willis was walking in the area near Monument Circle around 2 a.m. when he approached a person laying down and repeatedly stomped on them. Police say that this first victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The first victim died on Sunday due to their injuries sustained from Willis’s attack, documents say.
Police also say that on June 26, Willis attacked a different person at the same location near Monument Circle. Police believe that the second victim was repeatedly kicked and stomped on while they were lying down as well. This second attack also took place around 2 a.m.
Indiana State Police detectives shared surveillance photos of Willis from the attacks with other police agencies in an attempt to identify him. Police say Willis was identified by a Greensborough Police Sergeant after Willis had asked the sergeant to use his cell phone.
Police then approached Willis and detained him. Police say that when Willis was detained, he was wearing the same clothes that were seen in the surveillance footage of both attacks. Officers also noticed blood on Willis’s socks.
In an interview with detectives about the July 26 attack, Willis at first said that he was only “nudging” the victim. Police say that according to Willis, he was trying to wake the victim up because he was concerned about them.
Later in the interview, Willis admitted to attacking both victims. Willis said that he was frustrated that he had been homeless and unemployed for around the past 6 months. According to police, Willis also said that the people in the area were “mean and rude” to him.
Police say that Willis told detectives that he was the only person involved in these attacks.
Willis is currently in custody of the Marion County Jail.
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is under a heat advisory with temperatures in the 90s throughout the week.
Many cooling centers will open throughout the state for those that need to find relief from the heat. Hoosiers looking to find cooling centers in their area can contact Indiana 211. To learn more, call 211 or (866) 211-9966.
Avaliable cooling centers can also be found by clicking here.
Marion County
For those living in Indianapolis, Indy Parks has several cooling centers across the city.
Those Cooling Centers are:
- Broad Ripple Park Family Center
- Brookside Park Family Center
- Christian Park Family Center
- Frederick Douglass Park Family Center
- Garfield Park Burrello Family Center
- Krannert Park Family Center
- Grassy Creek Environmental Education Center
- Pride Park Family Center
- Rhodius Park Family Center
- Riverside Park Family Center
- Stanley Strader Park Family Center
- Washington Park Family Center
- Windsor Park Family Center
- Watkins Park Family Center
- Thatcher Park Family Center
For addresses and hours of operations of these cooling centers, click here.
Beech Grove will also have two cooling Centers for residents starting Monday, June 29. Those hours and locations are:
- Beech Grove Senior Center, 602 Main St
- 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Hornet Park Community Center, 5245 Hornet Ave
- 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday
Other Central Indiana Cooling Centers
For addresses and hour of operations of cooling centers below, click here.
Marion
- St. Martin Community Center
- Grant County Family YMCA
- Grant County Rescue Mission
Kokomo
- The Kokomo Rescue Mission
- The Excel Center in Kokomo
Peru
- Community Resource Center
- Miami County Courthouse
- Miami County Health Department
- Miami County YMCA
- Peru City Hall
- Peru Public Library
- Peru Schools Administration Building
INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — The National Weather Service out of Indianapolis has issued a Heat Advisory for all of Central Indiana and a High Heat Warning for parts of northern Indiana. The Advisory and Warning will go into effect at 12 PM on Monday and will run through 8 PM Thursday.
WRTV
A Heat Advisory means that temperatures in the 90s with dew points in the 70s, will lead to Heat Index values reaching 106. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Stay cool:
Drink plenty of fluids, check up on relatives and neighbors, and stay in an air-conditioned room when possible. If outside for extended periods of time, make sure to take frequent breaks in the shade as much as you can.
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