Hundreds gather for annual meal in Merced

Hundreds of people gathered early Thursday morning for a meal they might not otherwise have on the day many Americans celebrate their life’s bounty.

Bob Rosendale, 60, of Merced was in line before the doors opened to the American Legion Hall, where an annual Thanksgiving meal is served through the work of more than two dozen organizations.

Rosendale wore a beanie and heavy jacket as the chilly morning air made his breath visible.

“It’s a luxury having the home cooking,” he said about the free meal.

He said he has family in Pennsylvania but they don’t talk anymore. The gathering at the hall offered a place to mingle with others and enjoy a hot meal, he said. Without the gathering, he said, he’d have nowhere to be on Thanksgiving Day.

The Merced County Rescue Mission organizes the meal every year, but individual organizations pay for and collect much of the food. For example, the Indo-American Punjabi Community of Merced pulled together the money that bought all of the turkey and the Prayer Warriors Motorcycle Ministry took care of the broccoli preparation, organizers said.

Another diner was Larry Fisher. He said he’s homeless and has been to many of the annual meals in his 17 years in Merced.

Fisher said he looks forward most to the turkey on his plate piled high with mashed potatoes, corn, gravy and more. Diners also had an array of choices for dessert.

“I enjoy the food, the hospitality, the people that you meet,” the 58-year-old said. “I’m a people person for the most part.”

Fisher said his three sons and six grandsons are on the East Coast. He said along with the food, he was in the market for some new clothes.

Homeless advocates have counted an increasing number of homeless people in the county in recent years. Volunteers tallied 876 homeless adults and 23 children throughout the county in January, compared with last year’s 768. The number of homeless in the city of Merced was also higher at 592, compared with 476 in 2014.

Some came to the hall on Thanksgiving because they were hungry. Others came because they didn’t want to be alone.

Tom Aitken, 65, of Atwater said he has a home but wanted to come by the hall because he’s “got nowhere to go” for a traditional meal.

Plus, he said, the hall is a good place for reunions with old friends.

“I’ll run into somebody,” he said. “I guarantee you.”

This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 12:33 PM with the headline "Hundreds gather for annual meal in Merced."