SCRANTON - Members of a church in Scranton held their annual Thanksgiving dinner for more than 100 people in need. Volunteers say they wanted to put something together to help a community that has always supported them.
With every spoonful of a home-cooked Thanksgiving Day meal, organizers say folks begin to feel the holiday spirit and give thanks for all that they have.
"The last year and a half has been a very hard year and a half for me," admits Stewart Whitney of Taylor, "and we've gotten through it, and we're very grateful for our church."
Volunteers packed Green Ridge Assembly of God Church bright and early to get ready for the feast. They cooked everything from yams, mashed potatoes, turkey and all of the desserts!
"There were so many volunteers here this morning," said organizer Debbie "D.J." Russell. "We came in at 7 a.m. Lots of people have come to help us, and they've been dropping off food and everything. It's just so incredible to see people come in."
Russell says the idea came about last year when she and her husband didn't have a place to go for Thanksgiving. So, she contacted her church and decided to help all those people who need just a little extra help during the holidays.
"You think about what it takes to buy a turkey, and if you're alone, to buy a turkey, and gravy, and all that stuff, and just try to make it. You know how expensive it is," Russell says.
Even the littlest volunteers, like Sydney Kimmel of Factoryville, know how important it is to give back.
"Because they might not have enough money to buy their own, and they might not have family to visit," Sydney told Newswatch 16.
Folks say they love coming here because, during the holidays, you should be able to take a break and have a good time with those you care about.
"Our kids are all raised now, so we don't have the big dinner anymore," says Richard McDonald of Scranton. "We come here with the church family. It's fun, good food, good friends, good fellowship."
Church members say they expected to feed more than 100 people throughout the day.