At the Meals on Wheels kitchen in Dallas, crews prepared 750 pounds of turkey breast and dressing and 800 pounds of green beans for the 3,400 homebound residents who depend on them for Thanksgiving dinner.
"We usually start on Monday morning to start preparing all the ingredients and all the food," said Mario Mendez, the kitchen manager of the Visiting Nurse Association Meals on Wheels. "It actually takes about a week to get everything here."
Robert Smith, the director of public relations for VNA Meals on Wheels, said the large effort is worthwhile.
"As most of us will be gathered with family and friends and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal, maybe enjoy a little football, for many of our homebound elderly in Dallas County, there are no friends or family that will be with them that day," he said.
For many of the Meals On Wheels volunteers, delivering the holiday meal is a way to give back during tough times.
"You know, trying to help other people who really need it, it gives you a good feeling about yourself, you know, to try and help these people that really need some help. It's just a good feeling," said Jeff Cain, a volunteer driver.
For Druscilla Waites, the hot meal and friendly face was a reason to be grateful this holiday.
"I thank them for bringing me food because I'm not able to do anything for myself," Waites said.
The Visiting Nurses Assocation/Meals on Wheels program is always looking for volunteer drivers.
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