It is a festive day in downtown for thousands of people. At the Midnight Mission, Thanksgiving dinner is served to those that need it the most.
"You need some kind of stability to get your life together. For a lot of people here they're struggling and trying to themselves together and for them to do this every year is something good. I commend them for doing it," said Arthur Owens who is homeless.
Over 2,000 pounds of turkey and all the fixings were served. Volunteers spent Thanksgiving morning putting on the finishing touches to a massive feast, like slicing hundreds of pumpkin pies.
"What our guests really get out of this event is to get a chance to see the greater community serving them, caring about them and helping them understand that they may feel forgotten but they're not," said Orlando Ward, Midnight Mission.
Some of the celebrities seen helping out Thanksgiving morning included long-time volunteer, Dick Van Dyke. Down the street at the Fred Jordan Mission, hundreds of volunteers bagged groceries and served up Thanksgiving meals. Clothes for the needy were also handed out. This year, Clara Massey and her granddaughter had a lot to be thankful for.
"We were in a rescue mission and fortunately my daughter got a section eight and we moved to an apartment so this is our first time in our apartment and we're trying to enjoy it, and pay the bills, and eat. Just survive right now is basically what we're trying to do," said Clara Massey who recently became homeless.
So today, she like so many others are letting those that are more fortunate take care of Thanksgiving.
"Without this venue here I'd probably still be out struggling and that is what one thing I am thankful for," said Owens.
To give an idea of how much food was being served up this Thanksgiving morning, there were 2,000 pounds of turkey, 80 gallons of gravy, 3,000 bread rolls and 800 pies. All of it will be served up until they are gone and every year, they're usually completely gone.
