Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
GINTER, Donna
GINTER, Donna. (SD- ). "Mother of Main Street." Ginter's father brought his family to Asbury, Iowa, after losing two sections of farm ground to droughts and grasshoppers. Donna and her late husband Joe owned the NAVY CLUB on Main from 1949 until it was demolished during the urban renewal of the late 1960s. They then moved one block south and opened the Silver Dollar Restaurant in what had been the GERMAN SAVINGS BANK. Ginter's renowned hospitality included letting customers charge their food until the arrival of their next Social Security check.
Better known became her free Thanksgiving dinners that fed thousands annually. Initially she invited six homeless people to her house for Thanksgiving. This continued annually until the number of her guests outgrew the space available. Ginter later received help with the dinner from local organizations and volunteers. In 2007 her leadership of the effort led to meals serving 2,400 people including some taken to people's homes.
In 1994 she was honored by the TELEGRAPH HERALD with its FIRST CITIZEN AWARD.
NAVY CLUB. The Navy Club in downtown Dubuque was once owned and operated by Donna GINTER and her husband.
Source: "175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 96