The less fortunate enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving dinner at St. Joseph Diner Thursday in Lafayette. By Leslie Westbrook November 23, 2011
Families in need didn't have many options to choose from, but St. Joseph's Diner, Bailey's Seafood and Grill and the Salvation Army did their part to help make Thanksgiving Day as memorable and enjoyable as possible for those in attendance.
People were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner filled with turkey, rice dressing,
cornbread dressing, corn, sweet peas, potato salad, green beans, green bean casserole, cupcakes, and pecan and pumpkin pies.
"There are so many people who are less fortunate and aren't as blessed like we are that it is the least I could do," Bailey's owner Ema Haq said.
"This country and this community have been so good to me. I'm so thankful for everything, so this is our way of saying, 'Happy Thanksgiving.'"
This is the 19th consecutive year that Haq and Bailey's have provided those in need with a free meal, and he is already looking forward to next year.
"Honestly, I wish I could do it every day because I never want to see anyone go hungry," Haq said. "I don't think it is our duty, but I do believe we have a moral obligation to help out the people in need. We've prepared more than 700 meals, so today has been fantastic. It's a great feeling to be able to give back."
Two of the people dining at Bailey's on Thursday were Barbara Spencer and Eugenia Winters, who felt compelled to continue a tradition that began five years ago with 92-year-old stranger-at-the-time Ataily
Selectman.
"Five years ago, I just felt the need to go and speak to this woman who was 87-years-old and eating alone," Spencer said. "That day we just sat and talked about the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Ever since then it has become a tradition of ours to come have Thanksgiving Day dinner here at Bailey's."
But unlike the past five years, Spencer's and Winters' hearts were heavy as their friend wasn't sitting across from them after she died Monday.
"We came here today in honor of her," Spencer said. "We had already made plans to come here today, but she suffered a stroke a couple of weeks ago and she died this past Monday. We came here for the camaraderie and for the meeting of new people. I'm really going to miss her."
Winters said it didn't seem right without her friend joining them for dinner.
"Thanksgiving Day dinner at Bailey's had become our tradition," Winters said. "She has brought a lot of people together. She is supposed to be sitting in that chair."
As a result of needy families not having many options to choose from, St. Joseph's diner experienced an increase in visitors looking to enjoy a Thanksgiving Day meal.
"I estimate that we fed more than 200 people," said cook Rita Sylvester, who was in charge Thursday. "Every day is a special day for me, because I love what I do. But in a way, Thanksgiving Day is more special because you tend to meet new people. I love being able to give back because I've been fortunate my whole life not to go hungry or without shelter. It was great to see so many people enjoying good food and being grateful."
Tim Mulford, 61, of Mississippi was thrilled to have the opportunity to enjoy a true Thanksgiving dinner.
"On a normal day, there isn't much excitement here," Mulford said. "But today has been great. There's a great vibe in here today. People are excited and very thankful to not only have something to eat, but something great to eat. This has truly been a blessing."
Hank Wood, 59, of Lafayette stated he's not sure what he would have done for Thanksgiving dinner had it not been for Sylvester and St. Joseph's Diner.
"You can just feel Thanksgiving in the air here," Wood said. "Everyone is a little more upbeat. I'm so thankful, because this place has saved my life. They have provided food that I wouldn't be able to afford. I'm just so grateful."
One of Sylvester's volunteers was Spencer Beverly, an 11-year-old sixth-grader from Our Lady of Fatima, who was noticeably happy to contribute to putting smiles on the people in attendance faces.
"On the first Thanksgiving, the pilgrims were helpless and the Indians helped them out," said Beverly, who helped wash dishes. "So it is only right that we come and do the same thing for those in need. It really makes me feel good to know that I'm helping people in need, and I recommend that anyone with spare time to come and give back as well."
