Thousands piled into the Georgia World Congress Center Christmas morning for the annual Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Christmas dinner. More than 10,000 people attended the event which aims to help the less fortunate.
About 200 volunteers spent the previous night cooking the meal the DeKalb County Jail. A total of 800 turkeys, 500 pounds of rice, 400 trays of stuffing, 300 gallons of gravy and 3,000 cans of veggies were prepared.
For the 43rd year, volunteers served up that hot meal for some that otherwise would not have enough at the dinner table this holiday.
"Just to bring out the Christmas spirit, the New Year's spirit and I just wanted to change my life with doing something positive," said Lisa Jenkins.
Many received not just dinner but also holiday gifts.
"We want to do something to help honor them and the best way we could honor them is to make sure there was a smile on the face of as many children here in Atlanta as possible," said Elizabeth Omilami, the daughter of Hosea Williams.
Every year, Omilami says this is a massive undertaking but one she does with a great deal of pride. She says the need is always still there.
"They're here at our dinner because they couldn't buy gifts for their children, so these are good hardworking citizens, taxpaying citizens," said Omilami.
Omilami says more often they're finding more families and children among those getting that help.
"It's about our city making a statement that we will not allow our children to suffer on our watch," said Omilami.
This year's meal was dedicated to the children and staff killed in Newtown, Connecticut and that's why volunteers made a special effort to reach out to children in need.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
