HOUSTON—Of the millions of Thanksgiving Day meals prepared across the country, perhaps few had more meaning than the dinners tended to by volunteers in the parking lot of a downtown Houston church.
"I love helping people and being able to deliver a hot meal to them on the holiday," said Elnora Richie, one of over a thousand volunteers who took part in a massive meal giveaway organized by the Interfaith Ministries of greater Houston.
The annual event is in its 22nd year. Richie has been volunteering with her daughter for a half-decade now.
"I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces," she said.
Organizers said the needs continue on a monthly basis. About 2800 meals on wheels were hand-delivered to homebound seniors Thanksgiving Day.
"At the beginning of the year, we served about 3900 seniors a day," said Andrea Fineman, a spokeswoman for Interfaith Ministries. "Now we serve about 4500 seniors a day."
Among the seniors receiving a hot meal was Bob Martinez. He lives alone in a small studio apartment, and spends most of his time attached to an oxygen machine to help him breath.
"If it wasn’t for the volunteers, I wouldn’t have a holiday," said Martinez. "I look forward to this every year."
He clearly had plenty of company on Thursday.
