WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Hundreds of Thanksgiving meals, with all the fixin's, whipped up and ready to go at St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre. Pounds and pounds of potatoes are just part of the home cooking topping the menu.
But, making and serving a meal of this size is no easy feat. It’s the volunteers who keep it going year after year. However, the volunteers say, it’s those they serve who keep them coming back.
"When you see the young kids and you see them light up, especially during dessert time," said Bill Koch.
Bill Koch is in his third year volunteering on Thanksgiving morning at St. Vincent.
"It makes you more thankful, more grateful, and more blessed with what you have in life and what you offer to other people," said Koch.
This year, even the tiniest hands are hard at work, making this year’s meal even more special.
"They have a lot of things in life that my husband and I didn’t have. We want them to realize they should be thankful for everything they have," said Joann Schultz.
Families are coming out together to teach the real meaning of Thanksgiving. The Schultz family brought all three of their kids to help out for the first time.
"I think it’s a learning experience that they can apply to themselves, so they can use it in the future to give back as well," added the mom of three.
The services allows those who receive the multi-course meal are served by the volunteers Thanksgiving Day. They sit at a table drape with tablecloths and wrapped silverware. The services allows them to serve up much more than a hot meal at St Vincent De Paul Kitchen. They're bringing smiles and dignity to those who need it.
"When people come in line and they’re selecting their food, and we have an opportunity to carry their food and serve them, where they like to sit, and make them feel a little bit special on a day like Thanksgiving, it’s incredible," said Bill Koch.
