Thanks…giving to the homeless and hungry

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Thanksgiving is a holiday all about traditions, and it’s one group’s tradition to cook a Thanksgiving feast for 200 members of the community who aren’t as fortunate.

“Homeless, cold, hungry…” Phyllis Demartra said that’s what she’d be if it weren’t the volunteers who spend their Turkey Day cooking and carving to feed others.

“It’s just a lot of fun. They’ve become sort of an extended family if you would.” Mark Kavanaugh has been volunteering at the Salvation Army Thanksgiving meal for 15 years and leading the effort for the past 10.

Next year, he’s passing it on to friend and co-worker Mike Hardison who is thankful he has so much to give. “I learned a long time ago, we eat well just about every day. We’re very thankful. We’re very fortunate we can share with others.”

That spirit of giving is something he’s passing on to his children.

“We know how fortunate we are, and it’s pretty much a reality check that we need once a year, but it shouldn’t even be needed really,” said Mike’s son and Boy Scout, Zach Hardison.

The Hardison family hopes to bring in more scouts each year.

“It’ll be eye-opening for ’em. They’re very grateful for what they have, and they’ll look back on this, and they’ll never forget doing this,” Mike Hardison said.

It’s something the people they serve will never forget either.

“The cooks, the children, the Boy Scouts. I’m really thankful that God has blessed me to be able to see something like this,” said Demartra.

And she’s thankful for the food too. “It’s delicious. I couldn’t have did better myself.”

The volunteers remind us that giving is a tradition we can practice everyday.