Cheerful givers served a traditional meal to more than 100 people Thanksgiving Day at the California Nutrition Center.
Fresh-baked pies of all kinds and ingredients for side dishes were donated by church in the California Ministerial Alliance. And the ham and turkey were donated by local industries, Burgers and Cargill.
As she has done for more than eight years, Head Cook Teresa Liebi took the donations and whipped them into a feast in the center's industrial kitchen.
Monday through Friday, Liebi prepares for about 80 people per meal at the nutrition center. So, the holiday meal is a bit larger than usual for her.
But, she said she looks forward to it.
"I feel like God gave me the ability to do this and I enjoy sharing it with the community," Liebi said.
She praised the volunteers who help prepare and serve, many who have been coming for years.
Craig and Shelly Ash have been bringing their children for several years to volunteer and this year invited their niece and her family to join them.
"It's awesome," Ash said. "We look forward to helping out around the community."
Volunteer roles include the serving line, preparing to-go boxes, early morning deliveries to emergency personnel and home-bound residents and clean up.
First-timer Jeremiah Ranow said he was glad to pitch in to express his thankfulness.
"It's cool to provide this place to go," he said. "I was surprised at the number of people they served here."
For people like Larry Wolfrum, the Thankgiving Day meal is a blessing. Recently widowed, he doesn't do much cooking at home. And the center had become a regular gathering place for him and his late wife.
"I know people here and we visit; mostly I listen to their stories," he said. "It gets me to feeling good."