13 churches, many volunteers dish up Thanksgiving feast

In just 45 minutes Thursday morning, volunteers from 13 different churches had made and delivered more than 400 Thanksgiving meals to people in Jackson County.

But they weren't finished.

Forming an assembly line inside Cornerstone Ministry Center in Seymour, men, women and children scooped big helpings of mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey and dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry salad and pumpkin pie among other Thanksgiving fare into Styrofoam containers.

The meals would be delivered by church members to shut-ins, the disabled and those who were unable to make it to the church.

Also ready for delivery were more than 300 home baked cookies, which volunteers would drop off at the truck stop in Seymour.

In the church kitchen, another group stirred, whipped, cooked and baked even more food in preparation of the hundreds of people who would come to the church for its fifth annual community Thanksgiving meal.

Becky VanAntwerp, a member of Cornerstone, has been coordinating the event for the past four years and still is amazed at how everything comes together.

In the past, the church has had trouble finding enough volunteers to help with the meal, she said, but not this year. More than 150 people showed up to cook, set up, serve and clean up.

"We actually had to turn people away who wanted to volunteer, because we had so many," she said. "It really makes you feel good to be a part of something like this."

VanAntwerp and her husband, Mike, got to work early, arriving at the church around 3:30 a.m.

"When you're feeding well over 1,000 people, you have to start early," she said, laughing.

How early?

"I start thinking about what we need to do in July or August," she said. "We work with a lot of local businesses to get donations."

Wal-Mart Supercenter, Distribution and Transportation, all in Seymour, donated food, including turkeys and last-minute loaves of bread and pies.

"We said we were running low on desserts and they said to just let them know what we needed," she said.

By the end of the meal, VanAntwerp said, they would go through 40 to 50 turkeys.

The church also received donations from Jay C Food Stores, Spring Hill Camp, Provisions Food Pantry and Cracker Barrel, as well as members of Cornerstone and other churches.

"But we would love to see more businesses get involved," she said.

VanAntwerp said being able to serve the meal to those who wouldn't have been able to have a Thanksgiving meal any other way is what the holiday should be about.

"It's truly a blessing that we can be here and do this," she said.

Volunteer Betty Williams of Seymour agreed.

This was her first year to help with the event. She spent a lot of time cutting pies and wherever else she was needed.

"I'm not a member of Cornerstone, but I read in the paper that they were looking for volunteers and decided it was something I wanted to do."

Being able to help, she said, made Williams realize how lucky she is.

"With everything going on in my life and losing my job, being here puts things in perspective," she said. "There are people who have it a lot worse than me. I'm thankful that I can be here today."

The feeling of love from all the volunteers and those coming in to eat was strong, she added.

"It's just amazing," Williams said.

Also helping out was Tricia Anderson, 12, of Seymour. This was her second year to work as a server.

Making her way around the tables, Anderson politely asked what people would like to drink and if she could get them anything else.

"It's a lot of fun," she said. "I like talking to all the people and seeing them eat and be happy."

Newlyweds Bob and Polly Willhitt of Austin and Polly's grandson, Craig Phillips, were one family enjoying the food and atmosphere.

Phillips' parents are members of the church and volunteer at the meal each year.

"The food is good and I enjoy the friends and fellowship," Polly said.
Phillips agreed.

"I've been before and I enjoy the fellowship," he said. "I get to see my mom and dad and it takes the burden off of cooking."

This was Bob's first year to be involved with the meal, but he said it was one he would remember.

"I enjoy getting to see God feeding all his people and the love that he shows us," he said. "That's what it's all about."