TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — For 35 years, American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post has been a place to find a hot meal on Thanksgiving.
Volunteers are already stepping up this year in anticipation of more than a 1,000 guests. It started out as a way to feed the homeless but has since become a go to meal for people of all different backgrounds.
Of course, with so many mouths to feed, there are people behind the scenes working hard to make it all happen.
It's all smiles and laughter as volunteers carve turkeys. Sixty-eight birds to be exact.
"We volunteered last year and we loved it so much, we wanted to come back and be a part in any way we can," said Shannon Young, a repeat volunteer.
Young is one of many people spending the day getting ready to provide a free holiday meal for more than a thousand people.
"It's such a great unique opportunity because Tallahassee is such a unique, close-knit community," Young said.
The Tallahassee Community Thanksgiving began 35 years ago as a way to feed the homeless.
"It's a great thing that they include everyone," said Donald Morgan. "The flyer says everyone in Tallahassee regardless of if you're a veteran or income level."
It's not just the homeless who are thankful for the feast.
"I didn't grow up here, so I don't know a lot of people from here," said Summer Hill Seven.
The meal is also a chance to make sure no one spends Thanksgiving alone.
"The idea of making friends over a meal is certainly something we can all get with," Summer Hill Seven said.
Summing up what Thanksgiving is all about.
"This just really gives everybody an opportunity to stop and say thank you for what we do have," said Young.
And the community has really come through..
Earlier Wednesday, the event still needed volunteers, but now, they have enough people to pull off this event.
The Tallahassee Community Thanksgiving starts Thursday at 11 a.m. at the American Legion (229 Lake Ella Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32303). The event is so big, Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to be in attendance.
