More than a meal: SPHS community outreach volunteers serve food, smiles — and hope

More than 400 people were served a hot Thanksgiving dinner at Riverside Place in Charleroi.

The warm aroma of turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes filled Riverside Place on Friday during the annual SPHS Community Outreach Thanksgiving Dinner, continuing a Charleroi tradition grounded in community and compassion.

Crystal Smith, CRR supervisor for SPHS, holds to-go orders during Friday’s Community Outreach Thanksgiving Dinner. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent

Stephanie Mullen, clinical director for SPHS, smiles as she works the serving line during the annual Community Outreach Thanksgiving Dinner at Riverside Place in Charleroi. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent

Donnie Stepp, a team leader with SPHS, shares a laugh while checking in with volunteers during the annual Community Outreach Thanksgiving Dinner at Riverside Place in Charleroi on Friday. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent

Community members began filtering into Riverside Place shortly after 11 a.m., some registered ahead of time to pick up meals to go and others arrived to share a meal with others surrounded by the love and warm smiles of countless volunteers.

A long table was lined with trays of turkey, ham, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls and desserts — everything needed for a full Thanksgiving meal.

Crystal Smith, a supervisor at Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc., said the dinner has been held annually for decades.

This year, though, the number of meals served exceeded all expectations.

“This year, we served 417 people — nearly double what we normally see,” she said. “I can’t even tell you how many volunteers we have. There are so many. People from the community, people from different agencies. It was a really good mix.”

Smith believes uncertainty around recent changes to federal food benefits played a role in the higher demand.

“I think the unclearness of what was going to happen with food stamps was a big reason,” she said. “It literally just got turned back on last Monday. People were worried, and this is the wrong time of year to feel like your holiday meal is dangling in the air.”

Some families ordered meals for eight, 10 or more.

“I’d ask, ‘Why is your order so large?,’ and people would tell me, ‘We just weren’t sure what was going to happen, and we wanted to make sure everyone had a meal for Thanksgiving.’

“That’s what we wanted, too,” she said.

Longtime volunteer Shawn Woodson once again contributed homemade desserts.

“Every year she brings us something from the kindness of her heart,” Smith said. “This year she made banana pudding. She loves to bake — she’s awesome.”

For first-time team leader Donnie Stepp, overseeing the operation was both a challenge and a reward.

“For the community, this is the time of year to give thanks and give back,” he said. “I helped out last year, but it’s my first year running it. And honestly? It went wonderful. A lot smoother and faster than I expected.”

Volunteering is part of who he is.

“People are in need, and I can help — so why wouldn’t I?” he said.

Jennifer Hall-Brookins, who has been with SPHS for 18 years, said volunteering has become part of her family’s holiday tradition.

“I think I’ve grown with more responsibility because it’s such a good cause,” she said. “It makes me feel good inside to help.”

She said doubling the number of meals this year was only possible because the community stepped up.

“It really took a lot of donations and individual help. It takes a village. And the people here truly love doing this.”

Her favorite part, she said, is the unconditional welcome they receive when they walk through the door.

“Nobody cares about where you’re from, your religion, your sexual orientation — none of that matters. You just come in and get some food. It’s a wonderful thing.”

For volunteer Monique Woodson, the day carries deep emotional meaning.

She said through tears that her grandmother, Joan Woodson, was a giving person and her family is carrying on her legacy.

“She passed away one year ago on Thanksgiving,” she said. “We’re just trying to keep her legacy alive and give back the way she did. She was a cook, she fed anybody and everybody and to be here doing that today means a lot to us.”

This year’s dinner was made possible through a long list of supporters — neighbors, businesses, organizations and individuals who helped cover food costs and make sure hundreds of families could celebrate the holiday.

Contributors included Morgan Excavating, LP; St. Paul Baptist Church; By George; Louann Kenney; Chubs Pub, C and D Inc; Hebert Sheppard; Amanda Butler; Gina Beck; and Randal and Barbara Coomer, as well as major individual contributors Debbe Davis, Dillon Hudson, Recardo Hall, Jen Hall and Bobbie Fordanich.

Before the final trays were emptied, with boxes full of goodness flying out of the door, Smith stood back to watch families talk and laugh over their meals.

The room buzzed with the kind of connection the event was created to foster.

“It always gets me,” she said quietly. “Every year, when it’s all over, I cry. I can’t help it. Seeing everyone together like this… it just means so much.”