SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Being with family today is a tradition many look forward to, but what would you do if you couldn't have that meal or meet with them?
Sioux City's Gospel Mission has been putting on an Thanksgiving feast for decades. Hannah McCuddin has served Thanksgiving dinners there before.
"This is probably my fifth or sixth year that I've done it with my family," said McCuddin of Sloan, Iowa.
Although she's spent the fall semester in Ames, McCuddin is back in Sioux City for that family tradition. Three generations of her family are volunteering at the Gospel Mission.
"We like to get my grandma involved with more things because her husband passed away a couple years ago. We just like doing things as a family. It helps bring us together," said McCuddin.
Diane Sorenson and Scott Chaussee have both volunteered before, but it's their first time doing it together.
"I've done this in the past, different part of the country, on the West Coast. And I've always enjoyed it. It's a great way to take the focus off yourself and put it on others who are less fortunate," said Chaussee.
Volunteers say they started working on this meal Wednesday night, whipping up hundreds of pounds of ham, spuds, and side dishes.
The Gospel Mission carved up more than 300 pounds of turkey Thursday, but here in the freezer, they've got dozens more that they can use later on.
With each full plate, they serve up, Mission officials are happy to be able to deliver more than just a meal.
"Thanksgiving is just really a day of praise, giving thanks to the Lord, because He's the one that's made all of this possible," said Rev. Harold Youtzy, Jr., executive director of the Gospel Mission.
"You see a lot of people that don't have that opportunity," said Chaussee. "So, this just makes you feel good about doing this and seeing what you can make people smile."
This year, the Gospel Mission expected the turnout to be about 200 to 250 people.
With each full plate, they serve up, Mission officials are happy to be able to deliver more than just a meal.
