Lighthouse dinner feeds community

With plates stuffed with turkey, green beans, mash potatoes and freshly baked rolls, 787 residents were given another reason to be thankful this holiday season at the Lighthouse Mission's Thanksgiving Banquet on Thursday.

Executive Director Richard Gomez said they had beaten last year's record by serving 187 more residents. He said between deliveries and people who dined in, they barely had any leftovers to serve for Friday's lunch.

"We still have some turkey and a few other items. But we went through a lot more than we anticipated," Gomez said.

Guests were served heft plates of food along with an ice cold beverage as they sat down at tables. For Dennis Ward, who was brought here by his best friend, he was overjoyed to be sharing a meal with "a large family" again.

"I'm from a large family, and it's nice to see something like that again here," Ward said.

Ward said Lighthouse Mission always finds a way to help those who need it the most. Whether it's food, shelter or getting through the day he said the community always seems to watch each other's backs.

Accompanying Ward was Raul Velasquez, who said Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays for the community to come together.

"Thanksgiving to me means sharing with family and I'm just so grateful to have something like this to celebrate," Velasquez said.

Volunteers ranging from all ages rushed around between tables to serve as many guests as possible. Amanda Gonzales along with her two daughters Naia and Navie were eager to help the cause. Gonzales said this is the first year they have volunteered at Lighthouse Mission but were motivated to spark some change in the public.

"It's so much better to give than to receive. This feeling, serving others, trumps any meal that I could have," Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the holiday represents being thankful for what God has given us and to continue to be a blessing to others. She said there are many people in need and as a community it is the public's responsibility to uplift one another.

"I get excited to help others because I like being good to god and I like serving at church. So this makes it better," said 8-year-old Navie as she helped her mother serve food at tables.

Residents such as Patrisha Messier have been able to find "new hope" from Lighthouse's events and advocacy to help those in need. Messier said she was able to leave her life of crime and find a new path with the Lord thanks to Gomez and his staff.

"I came here when I needed clothes, when I needed somebody to talk to. But Richard came to me and rescued me in a foot of snow," Messier said.

She said Gomez had offered her help when she was at her lowest and helped her find purpose in her life once more. Messier said she would forever be grateful for what the Lighthouse has given her.

No longer in the snow, but surrounded with friends and family over a large feast, Messier is thankful to be reunited with her two sons on the holidays. She said the Lighthouse Mission helps guide people to a better path.

"Thanksgiving to me means confession, offering and praising God," Messier said.