Thanksgiving meals on wheels
SPRING HILL Ethel Matthews waited patiently by her front door, watching with anticipation as each car passed by.
A smile spread across her face as Bill Hampson pulled into the driveway and walked up the front path, arms filled with hot food.
At 95, she has trouble getting around and has no means of transportation, so receiving help from the people of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church has become a Thanksgiving tradition for Matthews, who has had her meals delivered for the past 10 years.
More than 200 volunteers delivered about 400 meals throughout Hernando County while another 800 meals were served at the church in Spring Hill Thursday as part of the church’s annual Thanksgiving Day dinner.
For Matthews it’s not about the food but the generosity shown to her by the volunteers.
“I think it’s great because I can’t get out to get it,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful we have people to do this.”
Volunteers began the prep work Wednesday afternoon, cooking hundreds of cans of peas, mixing gallons of gravy and roasting, deep frying and smoking 70 turkeys.
Homebound elderly and needy families place advanced orders for turkey dinners, which come with mashed potatoes, corn and peas, sweet potatoes, stuffing and dessert. Meals also include leftover rolls and other baked goods donated from local Publix supermarkets.
Volunteers also drive meals to local homeless shelters as well as provide delivery service to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and various fire stations.
Hampson said it was an obvious choice to give up some of his Thanksgiving holiday to help others.
“That’s just something you have to do,” he said. “I’m able to do it and there are people who need the service. There is a great need here in Hernando County.”
Parish council president Jim Yeske said Thanksgiving meals became a church tradition 14 years ago, when about 250 people were served the first year.
“It’s not just for people who are homeless,” he said. “This is also for people who are shut-ins, who are by themselves and don’t have family down here. Well, the church is their family.”
During morning preparations, Yeske, 63, kept pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket, a thank you note from Matthews expressing her gratitude towards the volunteers.
“This is why we do this,” he said. “Why wouldn’t anybody want to do this? There are people in need this time of year. It’s a great social feeling along with the spiritual part.”
