Pollin Helped Fund Dinner for 30 Years

Many free Thanksgiving meals are put together by good-hearted souls and big checks written by some of the D.C.'s most famous names. One of those big names-- Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin-- died earlier this week. Pollin always remembered one particular Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, and this year they're remembering him.

For 30 years, Maceo Jones has thrown a Thanksgiving feast for any and all who need a meal.

"I do it because so many people helped me when my kids were small," Jones told FOX 5.

"That's my way of giving back," he added. "God has blessed me to be 83 years old."

Each year, Jones takes over Elks Columbia Lodge Number 85 in Northwest Washington, and wrangles in many of its members, including head-honcho Marjorie Suiter.

"It makes me feel good to help those in need," said Suiter.

They had been cooking since Monday-- more than 50 turkeys, 200 pounds of sweet potatoes. All so anyone who walks in the door could get a perfect dish.

Every pie, every piece of ham was donated, but this year, Jones is mourning the passing of one of her favorite donors-- Abe Pollin.

"I saw in the paper how he was fixing the MCI Center and all that, and I wrote him a letter," Jones explained. "Told him what I was doing and asked him if it was possible for him to make me a donation."

Jones says Pollin immediately sent her a check to buy food.

"He sent me a check every year to buy food-- 15 years until he got sick," said Jones.

"Thank god for his time here," said Robert Williams, who is homeless. "Even though a lot of us didn't know it-- that he contributed a lot-- when you think about things like that, they are good in heart."

Williams and the other homeless there say they are especially thankful on this day for a meal they wouldn't have otherwise been able to get.

"I'm having a wonderful time for this Thanksgiving dinner that I do have that I couldn't get," said Alonzo Williams. "What more can I say?"

For Jones, that's the whole point. She says she's going to keep throwing this feast every year until she can't dish out anymore.