Aiken’s One Table More Crowded This Year
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Aiken's One Table More Crowded This Year
Five years ago, it started as a simple soup kitchen meal. Thursday, that meal has become a county-wide event that feeds thousands-this year, their biggest crowd yet. WJBF News Channel 6?s Joy Howe...
Five years ago, it started as a simple soup kitchen meal. Thursday, that meal has become a county-wide event that feeds thousands-this year, their biggest crowd yet. WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe takes a look at why all Aiken needs to celebrate Thanksgiving, is one table.
Published: November 26, 2009
Updated: November 30, 2009
Aiken, SC—It seems this year, tradition is needed more than ever. Aiken’s Thanksgiving table is crowded.
Reverend Michael Norris, Mount Anna Baptist Church: “You know, there may be a lot of people who served last year, who may be serving this year, but maybe also eating here this year, because families are trying to find a way to stretch their dollars.“
Lizzie Williams has been here since it started, five years ago.
Lizzie Williams, Aiken: “It brings everybody together to enjoy themselves you know, because this is a day you should be thankful, and I love it!“
This is what One Table looks like: where no one is labeled as hungry or lonely, needy or sad.
Rev. Norris: “Men, women, whites, blacks, Hispanics, homeless, people with homes, the wealthy, the not-so-wealthy, the middle class, white collar, blue collar, no collars!”
Leroy Deaton, Aiken: “It’s a good mix of people.“
Neighbors sit by neighbors. They find old friends…
Rodney Craig, Aiken: “I see people I don’t see but on this certain day.“
…and make new ones.
Kathryn Wade, One Table Organizer: “Everyone is invited. Everyone in the community is asked to come out.“
Families find new traditions.
Deaton: “We passed up our family getting together to come here. So I’ve got 5 kids, 5 great-grandkids, here today so it’s wonderful.“
More than 250 volunteers…feed a crowd of 3,000…and then all sit down at One Table.
Wade: “Aiken is a unique community. We really care about our neighbors, we want to meet our neighbors, we want to be involved with our neighbors, and so I just think that this is a great example of what we do all year round.“
Rev. Norris: “Everybody’s out here, serving participating in the community, and I think that alleviates the whole pride issue, because we’re all in it together.“
Craig: “Look at the people around here, it’s a blessing. Everybody down here is full. It’s a blessing. For one day at least you know you’re going to get full.“
This year, the table is fuller than ever—and a community, full of turkey, full of pride, is full of Thanksgiving.
Wade: “I think this is what the forefathers had in mind when they started this!“
The free event is sponsored by the community for the community.
All donations are given anonymously, organizers say, because they believe in the idea of giving, without recognition.
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