On one of the coldest Thanksgiving Sundays in recent memory, many of Edmonton's less fortunate have full bellies and it's all thanks to the generosity of others.
More than 1,000 people were treated to a free feast at the Boyle Street Co-op, and organizers say offering up the holiday fare took quite a bit of coordination.
NAIT students in the culinary arts and retail meat cutting programs worked for days to prepare traditional fixings from donations made by several organizations: the Food Bank donated 80 turkeys, Kuhlmann's Market Garden and the Edmonton Potato Growers chipped a combined 1,500 of vegetables, and area residents added more than 120 pies.
But volunteers and staff on site say it was well worth the effort.
"Being able to serve individuals who may be experiencing the effects of poverty, maybe experiencing some effects of homelessness, it's just a good feeling deep down inside," said Geoffrey Villebrun of Boyle Street Co-op.
He says the number of people relying on the charitable spirit of others has more than doubled in the last decade, and for that reason he's grateful Edmontonians once again pulled through.
But he wasn't the only one giving thanks on Sunday. Several people being served a holiday meal kept the spirit of thanksgiving close to their hearts.
"Without an event like this, a lot of people would be hungry especially me," said Grant Robinson.
"It's wonderful, it's great, it's, heck, it makes everybody happy - it's a happy thanksgiving to everybody," added Dale Prudan.
-With Files from Jeanette Labrie
