91原创鈥檚 Gateway of Hope served up an early Thanksgiving meal to an estimated 200 people on Friday afternoon.
鈥淭his is a little bit different,鈥� said one visitor to the lunch, who asked that his name not be used.
Instead of lining up to pick up their food cafeteria-style, those having lunch sat down and were served by a crew of extra volunteers, including students and employees of Envision Financial who came out for the day.
It鈥檚 a rare opportunity for the visitors, many of them homeless, to get a proper sit-down meal and be waited on.
The man has been coming to meals at the Salvation Army shelter for a few years now, he said.
He really appreciates the volunteers, and the annual sit-down meal that includes all the usual trimmings.
Some regular volunteers were back in the kitchen during and before the meal, including Cleci Blauth, who comes nearly every day.
鈥淲e love to give back to the city,鈥� she said.
Spiritual care coordinator Justin Napier led the gathered in a prayer before the meal was served.
