Asbury Park volunteers serve 200 Thanksgiving meals at Trinity Church

Local businesses like Wegmans, Hinks Turkey and The Buttered Biscuit all stepped in this year to make Thanksgiving dinner at Trinity Church a success.

Jim Murdoch

Nov 23, 2023, 5:18 PM

Updated 386 days ago

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There are a lot of big hearts all over New Jersey on Thanksgiving Day as volunteers put aside time with their own families to help other people in their own community.
Volunteers from Feeding Frenz in Asbury Park served 200 turkey dinners Thursday at the Trinity Church. The organization started more than 20 years ago by Pat Sherman and it focuses on the needs of the Eastern Monmouth County region. Local businesses like Wegmans, Hinks Turkey and The Buttered Biscuit all stepped in this year to make Thanksgiving dinner at the church a success.
"I grew up here and it's really important to give back to the community you come from," said Liz McAllister, a volunteer and owner of the Buttered Biscuit. "What she's doing and everyone here, I see everyone come together the hard work everyone's been putting in it's great, and the people really need it and appreciate it."
Just like in years past, anyone who stopped by could leave with new winter weather gear, like socks, shoes, jackets, all thanks to the volunteers and donations from the community.
It takes an army of volunteers who woke up before sunrise all to help other people get a good meal. The Salvation Army once again offered a tasty breakfast to anyone who wanted one at their New Brunswick headquarters. The volunteers prepared enough food to serve between 300 to 400 people.
"We had a lot of families that moved to this country. They don't have people close to them but they can share this day together. So here they know that we have a safe place for them and a lot of love to enjoy to share with each one," said Captain Fransisa Tripani of the Central NJ Salvation Army in New Brunswick.
Be on the lookout as many of these same volunteers will trade their ladles and serving spoons for bells as the 133rd Annual Red Kettle campaign hopes to raise more money for events like these salvation army holiday breakfasts.