The Atlanta charity "Hosea Helps" planned to feed 10,000 needy people at the group's annual Thanksgiving Day meal at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Dozens of volunteers began cooking for the event in the kitchen at the DeKalb County Jail Wednesday night. The food included more than 500 turkeys, 3,000 pounds of chicken and 600 pounds of rice. The menu also featured green beans, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese and more.
"We just do it because we want to help the people have a great day and try to give them a hand up,' said Nick Johnson of Hosea Helps.
Kaitlynn Washington and her family drive from Dallas, Ga. each year to volunteer.
"It's just pure joy," said Washington. "I mean, you see their eyes light up and you know that you're being a gift and you're giving them something that they don't have that they need. So, it's really they're blessing me more than I'm blessing them."
Many well-known Atlantans also take part in the Thanksgiving tradition. Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Hawks legend Dikembe Mutombo both served meals.
"This city, you don't just live by yourself; you live as a community," Mutombo explained. "You care about your community that you live in and we all want to make a difference."
In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, the event offered free clothing, showers, haircuts and medical care to those in need.