LANCASTER, N.Y. — Some people in Lancaster got up early on this thanksgiving to make sure others could enjoy the bounty provided through donations and volunteers.
2 On Your Side provided a "taste" of their effort to spread joy and thankful wishes for this holiday.
It appeared to be a relatively quiet and somewhat gloomy weather morning at the popular Skoobs Village Grille in Lancaster village, but inside a crew of volunteers gathering once again for his Thanksgiving feast set-up operation to make sure the elderly and others would have a donated warm meal and all that goes with it.
This is their fourth year of doing so, originally with six volunteers, and it just keeps getting bigger.
One volunteer said, "People I never saw before. I think they're people that just heard about it and came in. That was really cool."
From the kitchen with precision turkey slice sorting, to the side dish distribution, to the completed parcel packing, they have it down to a science.
That is with the experienced guidance of the man who started it all with an understanding of his downtown neighbors.
Bill Skubis, the owner/operator of Skoobs Village Grille, told us: "We get a lot of people from the Towers over here. They come in and you know they don't have a ton of money or anything like that, so that's how it started. We got a small crew of people donating their time, and now it's grown. We had probably 60 to 70 people volunteering today. We finished it in about 45 minutes."
Another volunteer said, "I'm thankful for my family, my friends, all these people that are contributing."
There were also corporate contributions from Latina and Sysco Food Distributors, but back to the work at hand and the thoughts of another volunteer.
"How fantastic it is and how great it is to have so much food and so many volunteers. We have desserts, we have turkey dinners, everyone's just going to love it. What a day to be thankful. "
Another person on hand added: "This is place I want to be today for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm only 93 years old, but I enjoy helping people."
Social media spread the word and others had to get involved.
One man said: "I've been friends with Bill Skubis for many years. Skubis is a great restaurant and gives back to the community. Just asks for volunteers, and I came this morning to help. First time. It was an amazing experience."
Other first-timers got involved with meal distribution in the community, like the Cervi family of Lancaster as dad and mom and their two sons went to share the food at a senior housing complex. There is a new family tradition in the making.
Anthony Cervi said "It's our first time. I've been wanting to do this for years just to give back to the community, and Skoobs put it together, so it was great that we could be out here and support."
Jolene Cervi added: "Love it. This is just such a good feeling to give back to the community and us sharing together today."
Among the thankful recipients meet Pam, who said, "I think it's very nice and thoughtful. I'm going to eat it all. I'm a good eater."