Tameka L. Hicks 26

J.P. Dunn always has realized that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, but the meaning of the day hit home when his grandmother died a few years ago.

Over the past five years, Dunn has shown his thankfulness for the important things in life by volunteering at the Newman Catholic Student Center, 715 S. Washington St.

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The last time I saw my grandmother was around Thanksgiving, Dunn, a Carbondale resident, said. So I do this as kind of a memorial to her. And I plan to keep it up every year.

Because of the support of volunteers like Dunn, the Newman Catholic Student Center has provided free Thanksgiving dinners to needy individuals for 29 years.

Thanksgiving is the one day we set aside to think about the good things we have done over the years and give thanks to God for it, Dunn said. It’s a nice thing to help people who can’t afford a meal. This gives me a great, warm feeling that I am making a difference.

This is not the average limited food line meal. The traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, dressing, mash potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans and delicious pies and cakes are all on the savory menu of offerings.

Sheryl Sungail, the volunteer coordinator for the Newman Catholic Center for 17 years, said the typical trimmings bring together different people in the community. And she said seeing the faces of 500 to 600 people each year is what makes volunteering a great experience.

Being so close to the University, we have people that find themselves unable to get home for the holidays, Sungail said. And then, there’s the homeless, disabled and the elderly everybody’s mixing with everybody. That’s the blessing of it.

Chow Juan, associate pastor for Calvary Campus Ministries, said although the church will serve free food during Thanksgiving, the holiday should not only be associated with food.

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People need to know what happened 200 years ago, Juan said. When the Puritans came, it wasn’t about food. That (food) wasn’t how Thanksgiving came about.

For the 10th year, the Calvary Campus Ministries, 501 W. Main St., will be giving away free international meals.

We are an international organizational, so everything we do is international meaning America and all other countries, Juan said. A lot of (international) people haven’t experienced a Thanksgiving dinner before, so we invite them to experience it.

The Ministry sees about 100 visitors each year at its Thanksgiving meal, but Sungail said the stretch of people outside the Center should not deter hungry hopefuls. In fact, the Center usually has enough food for second helpings.

If there is a line extended outside and there is still food, we give them what we have, Sungail said. It’s not a complete all-you-can-eat, but we usually have more than enough.

Sungail said leftover food items go to the Good Samaritan House or the needy people of the community.

Marjorie Parker, director of the Food Pantry at University Baptist Church, 700 S. Oakland Ave., has volunteered for 15 years.

Thanksgiving is not the only time of the year food is available for the needy. Because of grocery stores like Kroger, Schnucks and the Farmer’s Market as well as other organizations, the 20 volunteers of the Food Pantry have served 110 families per month this year.

It’s important that no one goes hungry, Parker said. And it is important for people to know that we are here and willing to help.

The Food Pantry serves the healthiest food possible. Included on its normal menu are canned beans, vegetables, fruit, rice, peanut butter and tuna.

Parker said that with the bad economy, everyone should be willing to volunteer themselves for the sake of others.

There are some people who have just lost their job, she said. The Welfare reform is affecting some families also. Some people are having difficulty with the transition, and that’s why we have so many people that come here.

Everyone here is so friendly, Dunn said. And it’s amazing that some people have done this so much longer than I have.

Volunteers like Dunn are hard to come by, Sungail said. In hopes of reaching last year’s mark of 109 volunteers, she said the search for helpers already is underway.

The difficulty is getting volunteers, she said. It is usually a day people have off, but we need the help in the days before and after. The fact is that (serving the needy) goes on each year through community support and hard work.

After the dirty dishes and the frustrations of a hard day’s work are dealt with, the true meaning of Thanksgiving shines through for Sungail.

To me, Thanksgiving comes clear at the end of the day, she said. It doesn’t matter if the turkey is a little overcooked or if the pie fell. It is just being connected with people we want to be with.

Factoid:All three places will be serving Thanksgiving dinner for anyone in need of a free meal.

Newman Catholic Student Center will have Thanksgiving dinner from noon-3 p.m. on Monday and Thursday. Those interested in volunteering can call 529-3311.

University Baptist Church will serve dinner from 9-11 a.m. Monday.

Calvary Campus Ministries will serve dinner until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29. Those interested in volunteering can call 529-4395.