Both Saint Mary's Church and The Rescue Mission were buzzing today with hungry visitors.
Bishop Kevin Rhodes began the feast with a prayer. Rhodes says “Part of the whole meaning of Thanksgiving is we give thanks to God in our prayers, but we also show our thanksgiving by being generous to those in need.”
Hundreds volunteered. Irene Winkler is a volunteer who says “It's just so neat to be able to be here and feed the hungry and feed the poor and be thankful for everything we've got.”
The Rescue Mission serves free meals year round. But Thanksgiving dinner draws in a much bigger crowd. Pastor Eddy Bazile with the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission, says “On days like this it will be very had to know who is a service receiver and who is a service provider because volunteers, staff, they all mingle in with the service receivers it just a day to celebrate and to be thankful.”
Many waited in long lines to get carry out. Others stayed to eat. Roy Durham took advantage of the meal today, he says “It's awesome because I am currently homeless and it's great to have the mission. The mission is awesome.”
Mission leaders say on Thanksgiving it doesn't matter what you have or don't have, everyone is welcome and everyone has something to be thankful for.
