LIMA, OH (WLIO) - People of all ages and backgrounds dedicated their time to feed others this Thanksgiving. These volunteers are keeping alive a tradition that dates back to the 80's.
Compassionate Ministries of Lima was created back in 2021 to continue the Free Lima Community Thanksgiving Dinner started decades ago by the Chester Cary family. Each year a long list of businesses and non-profits step up with donations of food and money to provide a quality meal for as many people as possible.
"We're serving just under 800 pounds of turkey, 150 pounds of ham, we're serving 800 pounds of mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans. You should see the pile of cans of green beans that we're opening today. We're serving a lot of food, we hope to serve 2,500 to 2,700 meals today," said Jonathan Burkey, the executive director of Compassionate Ministries.
Serving so much food to so many people takes a lot of manpower, and this year over 300 volunteers answered the call. Plenty of young people and students turned out to do their part, like players from Lima Senior's basketball team.
"I've been just carrying boxes outside for people who need help carrying boxes, carrying bags, helping them get food to their cars, stuff like that. It's a really good feeling and I'm thankful that I can help people out who don't have as much as me, but I think it's a really good feeling," said Lima Senior High School freshman, Shawn Foster.
"It feels great just to come out and help people, feels good to give back. Some people aren't as fortunate as others, it just makes me appreciate what I'm able to do and what God's blessed me with, what he's given me today," added Jagger Hutchins, a junior at Lima Senior.
The large number of volunteers makes the dinner go by like a well-oiled machine. Each has a different task, but all of them are sacrificing time they could be spending at home with family, watching football, to be a part of something greater than themselves.
"I think that this is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities. You know, people come and interact with folks that they maybe never would any other time of the year and so it really is a very positive experience knowing that you just helped some people enjoy fellowship and a good meal on Thanksgiving Day when they maybe might not have otherwise," Burkey said.
With the help of sponsors and partners like the West Ohio Food Bank, anyone who needed a little extra help after they ate could also pick up free cleaning supplies and a box of food to take home.
