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November 26, 2009

Hundreds served at churches, shelters in Joplin area

By Emily Younker

eyounker@joplinglobe.com

It had all the makings of a rough Thanksgiving for Roger Syme.

The Webb City resident is unemployed and said he frequently finds himself without money for even basic necessities.

“Calling our house (Old) Mother Hubbard’s cupboard would be an improvement,” he said, citing the nursery rhyme about a woman whose cupboards are bare. “There’s absolutely no food in the house. We bought a turkey but ran out of money before we could get anything else.”

Syme was among hundreds of area residents who on Thursday got free Thanksgiving meals, which were offered throughout the day by several churches and shelters.

Syme and his wife, Joy, got their turkey dinner from the First Baptist Church in Webb City, which put on its first community Thanksgiving meal for more than 100 people.

Church member Lori Harter said some of the 60 volunteers arrived at the church at 5 a.m. Thursday to start peeling potatoes.

“Everyone was so excited this morning,” Harter said. “It was like Christmas.”

Donita Allen, of Webb City, took her roommate to the dinner so they could get their turkey fix for the day.

“It’s just the two of us, and we wanted turkey, but it didn’t seem practical to buy a big turkey just for the two of us,” she said. “Webb City is a friendly little town, and we knew we’d be welcome here.”

Allen said she was touched by church members’ efforts in preparing the meals and in sprucing up the family life center with fall decor.

“I’m really surprised at how many of them are participating instead of doing it with their own family,” she said.

One of those volunteers was Miranda Elliston, 16, of Carl Junction, who gave up her afternoon with her parents to help serve the meals.

“Some people don’t have anyone to eat with on Thanksgiving, and it’s the least you can do to help people have a nice time,” she said while taking salads to attendees. “I’m just really happy that we can help people have a nice Thanksgiving meal.”

Souls Harbor in Joplin served a Thanksgiving brunch to more than 60 of its residents and other community members for the third year in a row.

Souls Harbor resident Randy Scott said before 10 a.m. Thursday that he was already enjoying the day.

“Waking up this morning was great,” Scott said. “I woke up, and I’m God-blessed that I’m here.”

Scott, whose sister lives in Norman, Okla., said he wasn’t spending the holiday with his family this year.

But he and Timothy Cullins, another Souls Harbor resident, said they were grateful for the fellowship that the brunch provided.

“This is my family,” Cullins said, gesturing around the table. “I have no other family. I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

Charles Cupp said that in years past, he has spent Thanksgiving with his family or at work. His family lives in Carthage, but because of some illnesses, Thanksgiving plans were canceled this year, and the brunch became his means of fellowship for the day.

“It feels like you’ve got a bond or brotherhood almost,” Cupp said. “I mean, how different is everyone at this table? And we’ve got this in common.”

Tyler Kunkel, of Overland Park, Kan., volunteered his morning to help serve the brunch. The 13-year-old, who was in Joplin visiting his grandmother, said he wanted to go to Souls Harbor with his aunt, who also volunteered her time Thursday morning.

“It was good ... just to know how lucky we are to have all this stuff,” he said. “It’s just good to be helping people. They need it.”

The First Presbyterian Church of Webb City also had its annual community dinner Thursday. It delivered more than 50 meals to the city’s police and fire departments as well as to people who are confined to their homes, said church elder Jim Lewis.

Ana Carranco, of Webb City, said her family doesn’t live close enough to celebrate Thanksgiving together. But she attended the dinner because of her children.

“Our kids come to church every Sunday,” Carranco said. “This year, we thought we’d come to help. I like to be here because I knew my kids were excited to be here, helping here.”

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