(From WEEK News 5) - Thanksgiving comes a few days early for some South Side residents.
We visited the Thanksgiving Lunch at Trewyn Middle School for families in the south Peoria community.
They arrived as families, and by themselves. It was time to gather. It was time to eat. It was time for Thanksgiving dinner. The fusion of a uniquely American holiday, and a Christian act of charity.
"As a nation, we stop for a moment and say, how can we count our blessings? The freedoms that we have, and the things that we've been blessed by. And then as Christians, that's just a part of our faith, a part of the scriptures that talk about that we are to be thankful for all things." said Marty Hunt, Pastor of Riverwoods Christian Church
This is the fourth annual Thanksgiving meal for residents of the south side neighborhood near Trewyn school. The Richwoods Christian Church and the Maranatha Fellowship Center hold this event every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Events like this, they are so important to us and to the community. Because for one, they show that we are not only focusing on the negativity. There are some other good things that happen.
With a tub full of turkeys waiting to be carved by the caterers, and a dessert table the length of the room, people of all description from the neighborhood came together over dinner,:" said Edwin Misigaro, Pastor of the Maranatha Fellowship Church
More then 300 meals will be served here Sunday afternoon but for the pastors organizing this event, it's less about food, and more about fellowship. One guest told us that these people are his family.
"I've been adopted out a few times, and my brothers and sisters are spread all over the country and everything, so like you said, my friends are kind of my family," said Richard Nauman.
Organizers say that more than 350 people enjoyed dinner today.
And as they enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner four days early, people from this south side neighborhood found one more thing to be thankful for.
