Churches, volunteers feed thousands on Thanksgiving
An army of volunteers have been working around the clock to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for thousands in and around the Triangle.
The fellowship hall inside Highland Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville was buzzing Thursday with positive energy Thanksgiving morning.
Over the loudspeaker, Pastor Ernie Johnson kept the crowd of nearly 200 volunteers motivated.
"Two hundred and fifty meals finished, so you're about ten percent done," Johnson announced just before 10 a.m.
So the well-oiled machine keeps running.
The volunteers were a part of an annual tradition at Highland. Preparing, packing and distributing Thanksgiving Day meals for 21 years, it's been a labor of love for community volunteers.
"I'm hoping that all people who don't have enough to eat, who are struggling in some areas in their life, (I hope to) let them know there is some hope, "said Charles Swindall, a first year volunteer visiting friends from Irvine, California.
"A lot of people are getting up early on Thanksgiving Day, willing to come help others ... it's just a wonderful thing," said Darren Tinney, who coordinates the Thanksgiving mission for Highland.
The church partnered with Kingdom Impact Ministries, MacPherson Presbyterian and a slew of community groups, including the Salvation Army to put together Thanksgiving meals for those in need around Fayetteville.
On the side of the church, boxes full of turkey, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls and desserts were packed into the back of cars and trailers. The meals were distributed in areas including Murchison Road and Hillsboro Street. Some of those who were provided meals came from as far away as Parkton.
"It's a good feeling to help people who need to be helped," said Kobe Love, a 16-year-old volunteer from E.E.Smith High School.
While Love and his group packed boxes, 7-year-old Colton Tackena put a toy in each meal.
"I feel happy," he said. "Happy to work hard."
"Stores want to be open. Shopping wants to be done, but it's not about all that," said Johnson. "It's really about giving and if you give you receive and that's what this is all about."
Click here to see how you can help
In Durham, volunteers worked overnight to get ready for Durham Rescue Mission's an annual holiday tradition.
The organization cooks 140 turkeys as part of their Thanksgiving feast and gives away warm clothing to those in need.
Across town, volunteers at the Raleigh Rescue Mission have been working hard on Thanksgiving as well.
For the 11th year in a row volunteers will be delivering hundreds of meals to the elderly and low income.
"Gobbles to Go" uses about 100 volunteers to help prepare, package and deliver the turkey dinners.
ABC11 Together is also giving a helping hand Thursday to the Helping Hand Mission as they help feed people in need this holiday.
Donations help feed hundreds at the Newbern House on Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh.
