While many of us get to enjoy Thanksgiving with our friends and family, there are many people right here in the Midlands who don't get that opportunity.
On Thursday, volunteers woke up bright and early to cater to the less fortunate and prepare a hot, Thanksgiving meal.
"There are some good people in this world," Benjamin Thompson said.
Benjamin Thompson labels himself as a pretty happy-go-lucky person, even though he's hard on his luck.
"I've had problems, I've straightened myself up," Thompson said.
Thompson said this season he's thankful for volunteers like Cherie Altman and Joann Brown who are serving many homeless people in our community with hot food, and a warm smile.
"What gets me the most, that hits my heart the most, is these people that come here and do this they give up their Thanksgiving day to be with their family, just to come out and be with strangers," Thompson said.
"It hurts my heart to especially see the children down here, but everybody's really happy, everybody's got a full belly and it's just a wonderful experience," Altman said.
"It's inspired me to want to do more," Brown said.
These are just two of the 200 volunteers at the Carolina Coliseum helping with the 24th Interfaith dinner.
Where people were given as much food as they could eat, winter clothing and even eye glasses.
Those who helped out all have their reasons for being here.
"I think I want to do something positive in memory of my mom to just go and help somebody else out, go help feed someone that doesn't have," Brown said.
"I'm away from my family and you get lonesome," Altman said.
But whatever the cause the result is bringing the Columbia community a little closer.
"It's just that warm feeling, everybody here is family, that's the way it is," Thompson said.
The organizers estimate more than 1,500 people were fed Thursday afternoon.
