Thousands served hearty San Francisco Thanksgiving dinner

A bronzed Thanksgiving turkey, still sizzling from an oven roasting, awaits a good gobbling from thousands of low-income and homeless San Franciscans in the dining halls
of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church.
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Elizabeth Daley, Bay City News Service

November 23, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - A line has already started to form outside the St. Anthony Dinning Hall at 45 Jones St. as families, seniors and the disabled prepare to 'get their eat on' this Thanksgiving Day.

St. Anthony spokeswoman Lisa O'Neill says the dinning hall is prepared to serve 4,800 pounds of turkey, 250 gallons of juice and 1,250 pounds of yams and mashed potatoes to 3,500 hungry San Franciscans.

O'Neill said that for many of St. Anthony's guests, the Thanksgiving Day feast may be their only meal of the day. That is why diners are encouraged to eat more than once at the feast, which started at 10:00 a.m. but does not end until everyone is served.

"Chefs have been cooking since last week," said O'Neill, commenting on the variety and quantity of food they had prepared, most of which will be served by volunteers.

St. Anthony spokeswoman Lisa O'Neill lends a hand in serving meals. As many as 100 volunteers donated their time to feed our hungry.

Denise Lamott, spokeswoman for the Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, said the church's dining hall with 150 seats is full, with a line extending around the block. Lamott said Glide expects to serve 6,000 guests and the food "certainly looks delicious."

According to O'Neill, many of the people served on Thanksgiving Day are regulars at St. Anthony. "For some folks we are the only family that they have so to be in a community in addition to having the food is very enriching," said O'Neill.

Larry Hamilton, 51, with St. Anthony's volunteer John James, 32. Hamilton reported his meal was excellent and praised James and all the volunteers for their noble service to society.

When asked if she missed being with her own family this holiday, O'Neill, who has spent past thanksgivings at St. Anthony's said, "I guess it's always nice to be with your family, but I know so many of the guests here, so my loved ones are here too. It's a nice way to spend Thanksgiving. It doesn't feel like work."

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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