The line outside of the Salvation Army on Thursday was long -- nearly reaching Sprigg Street even before the doors were opened.
Thanksgiving dinner was about to be served, and hungry diners were ready to eat.
Inside, volunteers were making preparations and manning their stations.
"We're cleaning tables," 5-year-old Bryson Lee said.
He was there with his aunt and his mother, who had decided to spend their afternoon helping out.
"I hope some other people are helping, too," Lee said, worried the three of them were the only ones given the task.
He was right to be concerned -- there were a lot of tables. Last year, more than 2,000 people were served, and Capt. Ronnie Amick of the Salvation Army predicted an even larger crowd this year.
But with over 115 volunteers to make the day possible, from cooks to coat-sorters to table-cleaners, there was plenty of help. And there was room for everyone, despite what may have seemed like an overwhelming start.
"They always come in shifts," volunteer Joshua Faulkner said. "All these people will leave, it'll be quiet for a minute, and then all of the sudden, a whole other crowd will come in."
Amick said almost 1,000 preordered meals were delivered beforehand, and 90 minutes into the dinner, more than 1,000 people had walked through the doors.
Cooks prepared 70 turkeys for the occasion, along with 30 pans of green-bean casserole, 30 pans of stuffing, 25 pans of mashed potatoes, gallons of chicken and dumplings and an array of desserts.
Kimberly Jones said her family has made the chicken and dumplings and stuffing every year for more than 20 years. They start rolling the dumplings out weeks in advance.
For their part, the diners appreciate the work that goes into to event and the sense of community.
"Everybody comes, gets a good meal, and everyone's happy," Steven Evans said as he ate.
"And everyone gets a coat," Peggy Austin said, having just finished her meal.
"Everybody's blessed," Austin's companion Robert Scott said.
At the back of the gymnasium where the meal was served were racks filled with coats and shoes. Visitors were welcome to help themselves to one of each.
Seven-year-old Mariah Oates-Cotton found herself a pair of tall brown boots and a puffy white coat with fur trim, which she modeled proudly after her meal. She was there with her brother, Christopher Clark and her mother, Juanita Magness.
"I enjoyed the meal and being out of the house, because I don't get out much," Magness said.
Disability has made it impossible to cook a Thanksgiving meal, she said, so she and her children take advantage of what the Salvation Army's spread.
LaDonna Winchester came to the dinner with a friend because they were both going to be alone for the holiday.
She saw the event as a case of God working in the right way. She and her friend were together, and others were finding community as well.
"We met someone here who said he's homeless," Winchester said. "He got a coat and some shoes and food."
As the diners trickled out at the end of their meal, one volunteer was happy for the experience but happier for its end.
"I had fun cleaning tables," Lee said as he finished his shift. "I'm ready to go home."
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