Thanksgiving blessings

Heather Hasty

Valley Press

Most people found themselves stuffed full of turkey Nov. 27, ready for a nap. Many families this year couldn't afford the trimmings to fill a table, but the holiday spirit was not lacking. The community Thanksgiving celebration at the soup kitchen in Plains attracted close to 100 hungry souls Thursday.

Served a full dinner complete with everything from the traditional turkey to the cranberries, those who took advantage of the cost- free holiday feast walked away with a full belly. Some even took to-go's with them, making sure the 40 pounds of potatoes, seven turkeys and four hams did not go to waste.

The kitchen wasn't just full of the hungry though. About 22 people showed up to volunteer.

"We are very blessed and we just wanted to share that," John Hodge, one of the many volunteers said while filling plates.

He was not the only one that wished to share their time in the essence of the holiday. Marla Burgess and her daughter Shayna were there to help as well.

"We've always wanted to help," Marla Burgess said, "I just wanted [Shayna] to appreciate and give back…and she likes to do it. In fact her father said the road was icy but she refused to stay home."

Jessica and Sean Peterson of the Soul Saver's Ministries were a major part of making the feast happen. Jessica cooked all of the food and took charge of the many volunteers, directing them to what needed to be done while Sean greeted folks, making the dinner just a little more like home.

"This is the second year that we've been involved with the Thanksgiving dinner," Sean said, "We have four kids so we try to space it out so in the morning we do this Thanksgiving and then in the evening we spend it with family…[the kids] love it."

The whole room was filled with conversation, smiles and delicious scents as those that perhaps wouldn't have otherwise had a Thanksgiving gave in to the celebration.

"I think it went great," Jessica Peterson said, "We had a lot of fun and had several new families that came in."

Peterson said that the leftovers went to the Awanas with Ray Morgan to help make soup for the kids.

Although the Petersons have only been involved for two years according to Jim Sinclair serving Thanksgiving dinner started in 1997 with Hershel Beard.

"There was just a lot of people that we didn't think had a place to eat," Sinclair said. "The need was very apparent."

Although Sinclair is the pastor of the church he said that the soup kitchen and the holiday dinner isn't just about the church. Community members volunteer and attend from all parts of the area whether or not they are a member of the church. Sinclair said that another thing that sets their kitchen a step higher is that it is certified.

"It's just like a restaurant," Sinclair said, "It's kept up to public health standards."

"I wanted to thank everyone for a job well done and a really big thank you for taking the time out to help others," Jessica Peterson said.

Peterson wanted to thank all those that donated items including Kay Mays, Terrie Woods, Larry McDonald, Jack and Ellen Dowell, Pat O'Buck, Dave and Jan Harvey, Faith Beard, Marjorie Bachman, Cathie McGonagle, Church on the Move, Sharon Wilson, Dean and Tandy Kaufman, Mary Jane Siegford, Raymon and Darla Morgan, Mary Anne Johnson, Brinson's, Peregrine Embroidery and Valley Press. A thank you also to the volunteers that helped out including Dan Boos, Phil Seng, Sandy Huot, Sherry and Gene Johnson, Thori and John Hodge, Bill Beck, Kathy Warrington, Robert and Caroline Mize, Robert and Delta Jackson, Destinee Churchill, Morris Minemyer, Mary Jane Siegford and her mother, Dave and Jan Harvey, Jack and Ellen Dowell, Heather Hasty, Marla and Shayna Burgess and Doloris Porter.

"And we want to thank anyone else that donated and volunteer that we missed. Thank you so much," the Petersons said.