Serving others on Thanksgiving

For some, Thanksgiving brings out an appetite for community service.

At St. Olive Baptist in East Austin, Thanksgiving tradition starts in the church kitchen.

For more than 30 years volunteers have formed assembly lines, scooping generous helpings of turkey and all the fixings to serve hundreds, sometimes more than a thousand.

"They got it started many years ago as a way to help those students over at Huston Tillotson University who couldn't go home for Thanksgiving. It evolved to help the homeless and senior citizens who are not able to get out.” said Arlene Youngblood.

Deacon Levi Randolph has spent 18 Thanksgiving mornings there.

"I had to make a deal with my wife. I promise not to nibble. But if I don't do this I have a void,” said Randolph. "It's a part of me now."

People can either dine in the church auditorium or request a delivery. Volunteers will go all the way to Jarrell to meet a need.

Adolphus Darby Kimbrough is a delivery driver. "It's fun. I get a lot of joy out of it,” he said.

We followed his SUV loaded with 200 meals to an apartment complex where many people are prohibited from travel by their disabilities.

"Happy Thanksgiving! Thank y'all, you're a blessing coming out,” said one of the meal recipients.

Everyone greeted him with a smile. A very thankful smile.

After all Thanksgiving is more than just the food. It's coming together with nice people like these...

"That's what it's about, being family and being of service,” said Youngblood.