WDAM.com Laurel-Hattiesburg, MS The Pinebelt's Choice For News, Sports and Weather | Soup kitchen serves holiday meals

Soup kitchen serves holiday meals

By Charles Herrington -  Bio | Email

A group of good-hearted Laurel volunteers cooked up an early Thanksgiving meal today for hundreds of their less-fortunate neighbors. It was all part of an annual holiday feast at the The Soup Kitchen on Ellisville Boulevard.  The staff and volunteers there have served holiday meals in the past, but because of the tough economic times, they are seeing more people in need this year.   

"There are a lot of people who've lost their jobs right now and so, I'm just trying to make sure everybody has a good meal for Thanksgiving," said Terrence Crosby, a cook at the facility. 

Hundreds of people were served today by dozens of volunteers, including city officials, who say they were glad to lend a hand. 

They were serving dinners of turkey, dressing and cornbread.  The folks being served seemed to appreciate the holiday meal.

"It means a lot to me because at this time, we don't have any funds and this is a great meal for us," said John Hinds.  

"This meal means a whole lot," said Woody Thomas.  "It lets me know that people here still have a kind and giving heart."

The staff at The Soup Kitchen recently have been serving an average of about 300 meals per day. But, they expected to serve nearly 700 dinners today.  The facility has been serving meals to the needy for about 16 years. 

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