Army of volunteers work to help on Thanksgiving at Bethany House
By
Ray Gomez
Story Created:
Nov 26, 2009
Story Updated:
Nov 26, 2009
The Bethany House of Laredo is known for giving back to the community in big ways. Volunteers donated their time this Thanksgiving Day to help less fortunate families.
Life for “Abraham” hasn’t always been about waiting in line for hours for a free meal, but in an economy leaving him with little to absolutely no money for food, he now finds himself at the Bethany House of Laredo:
“Well, I came here because I was short on money this month, so I decided to come here and eat. I was really hungry and out of money for the next one week.”
Hundreds of others are just like him.
Not wanting to be a burden but left with nowhere else to turn, with no thanksgiving dinner for their children.
“Its very sad to see a lot of the small children we're serving but at the end of the day we feel very grateful and appreciative and happy that we're able to help.”
Bethany House volunteers plan on serving up turkey with all the trimmings to at least 800 people today that’s at least 200 more than last year.
“We had two long lines around the building.”
That doesn't even include the 250 meals packed up and delivered to the elderly and disabled who couldn't attend Thursdays' lunch.
So instead of lounging around the house this Thanksgiving, an army of volunteers will instead show up at 5 am and by 10 in the morning, begin serving a piece of one of 40 turkeys putting the finishing touches on the pumpkin pie and making sure the tables are ready for each and every guest.
“It takes a lot of coordination to provide the service.”
Before they leave, each family will even receive a bag of groceries.
Efforts many here say are well appreciated.
“I thank God. If this were another county, this wouldn’t have happened. I thank God to be in America, thank God for the food that I get I’m very thankful.”
Bethany House officials say they are grateful for the volunteers and local agencies who helped donate all of the food served at today's lunch.
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