Thanksgiving: Volunteers Serve the Needy | News

Just as many families sat down to enjoy turkey and the trimmings on this Thanksgiving Day, many people also take time out to volunteer their time to help serve the needy.

Saint Lawrence Church on East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo held its first Thanksgiving dinner this year with donations and volunteers from the ranks of local police and firefighters and parishioners. Father Joseph Moreno says they decided to add this day of service after seeing more and more demand at their food pantry and other events for the neighborhood.

It was also the fifth year of Thanksgiving Dinner at the Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation on Delaware Avenue. They also provide a soup kitchen along with outreach and gifts for veterans as part of their Orthodox Action ministry.

And today marks the 26th year of dinner provided on Thanksgiving by the staff and numerous volunteers of the Response to Love Center. Executive Director Sister Johnice says the need has gone up in recent years with the economic downturn. But she points out that the community always comes through with donations.