Feeding the Masses

It wasn't what was expected. Most of the diners were singles, or couples, or anyone who didn't have any family locally, so they ate at Faith Lutheran Church or Atonement Lutheran Church, both on Lakeview Drive.

And at 12:30 p.m., Ed Marino took a van and a crew from Atonement to Ridgeview and Sebring Parkway, near the Blue Crab, to give away Styrofoam containers of turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Some passersby just waved. "They're suspicious," Marino said. "And they should be."

Others drivers pulled over, old people, young, kids and dogs in their cars, even a couple of mechanics across the street who were working on the holiday. All were grateful for the bountiful blessing.

Later, the Atonement van would move to Lemon and Martin Luther King.

A mile away, another Lutheran church on Sebring Parkway served its first-ever Thanksgiving meal. Although they asked for reservations at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., Jane Cooper expected Faith Lutheran to feed 200 people.

"We felt, with the economy the way it is, we ought to reach out to serve the community," Cooper said. The Cares and Concerns Committee called for volunteers, and the Lake Placid Lions Club showed up. Even a Lion from Lorida came. Well, Cooper's son is a past governor.

"We really want to thank the community for the food, the volunteers and the dollars," said Lea Ann Curry, the parish nurse. They got so many donations, they away gave food to another church.

At the Atonement church, the early diners weren't needy people, they were just senior singles like John Reister, Beverly Eck, Judy Howell, Fred Robinson and Sophy Mae Mitchell Jr. Since their relatives were out of town, Frank and Lorrayne Dubbs heard about the free meal at a church rummage sale, and drove from Avon Park.

Next to them was a Christmas tree, decorated by Mathilda Wilfong. She's selling the ornaments, with the proceeds going to the church improvement fund.

Back at the Faith Lutheran Church, a shout came from the serving line: "That's half of them." At 12:30 p.m., they were half finished loading trays for the shut-ins and the hospice.

A woman looked up from the serving line and, with a genuine smile, said, "We're having fun."