Hundreds served Thanksgiving meal at People’s City Mission
Posted By: Alden German
agerman@klkntv.com
Lincoln’s People’s City Mission is on a mission to include everyone in the Thanksgiving holiday. For over 110 years, People’s City Mission has provided Thanksgiving meals for Lincoln’s homeless.
2018’s feast was one of the largest ever.
Over 600 people came to the dining hall at the family shelter to sit down with friends, and even family, to have a hot meal and share what they’re thankful for. They were greeted by over 100 volunteers, some of whom have been helping for decades, such as Brant Hubbard.
“This is our tradition now. We enjoy it. We cook, we eat with everyone, we clean up, and we go home. It’s our tradition now and we all enjoy it.”
Hubbard and his family has been serving those in need since he was nine-years-old, nearly 25 years ago.
A York-native now living in Boston, Brant makes it a point to fly back every Thanksgiving to dedicate his time to those who just need some extra help. For his family, the “giving” in thanksgiving is what’s most important.
“I think everyone wants to do more but this is an easy time to identify giving someone a nice Thanksgiving me is just something easy to do that I think really brighten everyone’s day,” said Hubbard.
A hard–working kitchen and crowded tables showcase the community spirit of Nebraska’s capital.
“Thanksgiving is such an important moment for people who are homeless to participate because they really do feel like they’re on the outside looking in sometimes; when the community celebrates with them…to be able to do so too is very important,” said Pastor Tom Barber of People’s City Mission.
Between the Help Center and Family Shelter, People’s City Mission estimates over 5,000 meals will be given out to those in need on this Thanksgiving. A lot of the food came from public donations, although the mission did buy some of it.
Pastor Barber says last week alone they gave out between five and six hundred turkeys at the Help Center.
“You know what really touches my heart is that you have folks who are having a pretty tough time of it all, and they come here, they get excited, they celebrate,” said Pastor Barber. “More importantly, I hear stories of people just being thankful.”
Thankful for what others have gladly given them.
