Thousands thankful for Thanksgiving meals

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Dinners held around the Atlanta metro area, including the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Thanksgiving Dinner, made sure those less fortunate had a hot meal on Thanksgiving day.

Several dinners were held around Atlanta to make sure those less fortunate had a hot meal on Thanksgiving day. One of the largest was the 39th annual Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Thanksgiving Dinner, where thousands of homeless and working poor gathered to dine at Turner Field. Atlanta rapper T.I. serves Thanksgiving meals alongside 80-year-old Evelyn Thomas, who has been working the event for the past 20 years.

Volunteers wait to pass out plates. Organizers expected to serve up to 20,000 meals, both at the stadium and through home delivery.

Kendra Earls and her 2-year-old daughter Aniya say a prayer before eating their Thanksgiving meal.

David Dunlap and Chris Youngs, both of whom are homeless, eat below a large picture of Hall-of-Famer and former Braves player Hank Aaron. Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless was founded in 1971 by civil right leader Rev. Hosea Williams.

In addition to the meal, attendees were offered services that ranged from a barber and beauty shop to hot showers and medical check-ups. Dede Cook, 35, of Atlanta took advantage of the salon, admiring the finished product in a hand mirror.

"This is great," said Ricky Odom, 52, about his haircut and beard trim. "This is blessing. I really needed a haircut." Reginald Slaughter, who was wearing a T-shirt featuring a picture of the late Rev. Hosea Williams, served as Odom's barber. "A haircut totally changes your personality," said Andre Ezzard, another barber. "It raises your self-esteem."

Celia Luhan, 9, of Cumming enjoys her turkey at the annual Thanksgiving dinner at Cumming First United Methodist Church while her cousin Carolina Luhan looks after a baby. This is the eighth year the church has served food to community members on Thanksgiving.

Eleven-year-old Kaley Hecht Alpharetta serves dessert. She was one of about 170 volunteers who helped with the event.

Spencer Haywood, 15, holds a plate for Deanna Elliot, who was in charge of the gravy. The volunteers served dinner to about 1,200 people.

Apple pie was among the 62 desserts served. Sixty-four turkeys and 88 pans of dressing were also used.

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Several dinners were held around Atlanta to make sure those less fortunate had a hot meal on Thanksgiving day. One of the largest was the 39th annual Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Thanksgiving Dinner, where thousands of homeless and working poor gathered to dine at Turner Field. Atlanta rapper T.I. serves Thanksgiving meals alongside 80-year-old Evelyn Thomas, who has been working the event for the past 20 years.

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