JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – From first-time volunteers to those who have been giving back for nearly two decades, the joy was evident Thursday as dozens gave up their Thanksgiving morning to gather at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside.
The volunteers prepared 1,100 hot meals to be delivered to local seniors who might not otherwise have a Thanksgiving dinner.
“I think it’s a great way to start the day. It gives us the ability to give back to our community,” said Kim Hagan, who was volunteering for the second year with her daughter, Kelsei Kenny. “It’s just a wonderful feeling. It’s so great that we were able to come here and help the community and start our day in a really positive way.”
Chef Mike McDermott led the charge for the third year and said he and his staff arrived at 2 a.m. Thursday -- after spending two weeks prepping, cutting, making gravy and mashing potatoes.
“It’s just my passion to make great food and a great Thanksgiving meal for someone to enjoy that wasn’t able to have it,” McDermott said. “It’s been awesome. It’s a group effort and team effort along with everyone.”
Volunteers also worked Wednesday to prep and cook the meals to be packed and delivered on Thanksgiving Day.
The meals included 700 pounds of turkey, 600 pounds of green beans, 600 pounds of potatoes, 25 gallons of gravy and 1,100 slices of sweet potato pie.
First-time volunteer Stanley Joseph, who works in case management at Ascension St. Vincent’s, said he knows first-hand just how many people the meals will help.
“We encounter so many patients coming in and all they really need is someone to be able to provide them a meal,” Joseph said. “We have a big population of elderly in Jacksonville and most of them don’t necessarily have a family to provide or friends. And this is just a little piece of what we can offer as a hospital to the community.”
The health system has been working for years with Aging True Community Senior Services and Z-trip to identify seniors who might not have something to eat otherwise on Thursday and deliver meals to those pre-selected candidates.
“I think it’s so important to support the community, so I’m excited to be here and give back locally to that population in need,” Kenny said.
Richard Joe Sr. with The Florida Grand Council Modern Free & Accepted Mason Inc. said his group brings about 40 volunteers every year and he’s been coming for 18 years. Their job Thursday was to pack up the cars with the meals.
The Z-trip taxis each had a placard with how many meals they need and as they drove through, they were loaded up for delivery.
“It gives us a warm and good feeling for the holidays. It’s all about service, what we can do for our community. And we get a great kick out of it,” Joe said. “We take care of our elders and our children.”
