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Hernando Today

300 Drivers And 1,000 Dinners

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: November 28, 2008

SPRING HILL - Everything was bigger this year.

There were more volunteers, more food and more deliveries.

"Welcome to the nuthouse," said volunteer Jim Yetske, who was squeezing through a crowded and frenzied kitchen.
Fred Glass was supervising the mayhem. By 11 a.m., a line of volunteers arrived and stood in line to deliver food to families, firefighters and shelters throughout Hernando County and beyond.

"We had a lot more volunteers show up than we thought," he said.

The Thanksgiving dinner program at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church takes place every year. Glass and his helpers seemed more comfortable with the chores this year, but the size and scope added to the stress.

"It's bigger, but we're more organized," said Chris Wilshusen, of Spring Hill, who assisted in the kitchen for the second year in a row.

Trays filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, yams and vegetables were emptying fast as volunteers scooped into them with large spoons and stuffed them inside plastic foam containers.

It was crowded and stressful in the kitchen. The same went for the dining area of the parish hall.

Glass was walked through the crowds of people, answering questions from volunteers and showing drivers where to pick up the bread and desserts.

"I don't want to look at turkey, man," he said after he was asked where he would eat Thanksgiving dinner. "I really want a burger."

He was joking. He and his wife joined the 300 or so diners in the parish hall Thursday afternoon after all the deliveries were made.

In all, more than 1,000 meals were delivered by up to 300 volunteers.

Glass joked with Deacon Gregorio Lugo, who listened while the organizer talked about the volume of food he and his volunteers had to cook, serve and deliver.

"He's going to take over when I'm finished," he said as he pointed to Lugo.
Lugo let out a loud belly laugh.

"In 2040," the deacon said.

"OK, in 2040," Glass said. "In spirit, he's going to take over."

People young and old assisted at the church past midnight Wednesday and from the crack of dawn Thursday.

"A lot of people are working and taking care of our homeless shelters and firemen," said Lugo. "I'm seeing a lot of young people involved. They are the future of our church."

Each plate consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, yams, peas and corn. Bread rolls, beverages and desserts also were served.

The Thanksgiving meal program was only the first big public service offered by Glass and other parishioners at St. Frances during the holidays.

A children's pizza party will take place Saturday, Dec. 6. The children of the local National Guardsmen who have been deployed to Iraq will be supervised by local sheriff's deputies and volunteers at the church so that their mothers can have a free day to shop, Glass said.

There also will a prayer service for those National Guardsmen and other military families at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

For information on those events, call the church at 352-683-9666.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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