WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Area churches team up to feed the needy on Thanksgiving

Area churches team up to feed the needy on Thanksgiving

By Dawndy Mercer Plank - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - For 19 years, St. Peter's Catholic Church and First Baptist Church of Columbia have prepared a massive meal for around 1,200 people on Thanksgiving.

This year, they expect even more on Thursday. Despite that, the crew working the event is still more than prepared for the big day.

"I do use a little salt and a little sugar brine," said Johnny Nix, explaining his turkey recipe. "And I do coat them with a little olive oil and I start them off at 400 degrees, about 25 to 30 minutes and then I cut the temperature down to 350.  I cover the turkey and what you see is a golden turkey -- well done and juicy."

Nix is one of hundreds of volunteers. He alone is in charge of eighty 25-pound turkeys.

"My job is to see that the turkeys are cooked," said Nix. "That they're sliced and that they're the right temperature to deliver them to the coliseum on Thursday morning."

The event is a massive production that has been put together by Robert Keeder for the past 19 years.

"Our theme down here at First Peter's: help us help others.  So, we always want to make sure we're helping and feeding everybody that comes to that coliseum that day," said Keeder.

Keeder expects to see more than normal. With the economy as it is, an extra 300 people could show up, so volunteers are preparing food for more than 1,200 hungry people. It's more work, but it's a labor of love.

"We don't choose to do this. We're called to do this," said Keeder. "Knowing we have a calling to feed God's poorest of the poor and the neediest of the needy is what our life is all about."

Even with the hefty load of turkeys, Nix gets a great joy out of it.

"The most enjoyable thing is watching the faces of the people as they come through and they thank me. They tell me it's good and they really appreciate it," said Nix.

If you and your family would go without a big meal this Thursday, then head to the Carolina Coliseum from 11am to 1pm for dinner with St. Peter's Church and First Baptist Church Columbia.

After the 1,200 or more are fed, the volunteers will be delivering 900 meals to nursing homes.

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