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Shelter serves up turkey, candy, coats for homeless
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Come one, come all to the Good News at Noon annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Some 36 turkeys will be prepared for the homeless shelter’s midday meal, and several local church members will supply the side dishes and service.

One of the managers of Good News at Noon, Mike Robinson, said 300 volunteers and homeless people attended the dinner last year.

"We usually get about 300, but I’m expecting a lot more for this year," Robinson said. He added that he believes word has spread of the shelter’s open-door policy, and has recently spurred more patronage.

Robinson said that there will be candy distributed for children. And four racks of coats will be placed throughout the Davis Street shelter.

"Anyone who needs (a coat) can just take it after they eat," he said.

Thanksgiving Day often generates a large volunteer turnout at Good News at Noon. Robinson said there were about 150 volunteers last year who helped to bag food, serve dinners and clean up afterwards.

He said the shelter regularly gives away more than 5,000 pounds of food each week to individuals who have completed the weekly Bible verse lesson. A worksheet is distributed on Thursday evenings at family night.

Robinson said more than 120 needy families show up for the bilingual Thursday night lesson. The following Thursday, families can turn in a worksheet to receive another box of food containing bread, produce and canned goods. About 55 churches have members who frequently contribute their time and donations to the shelter.

"There can never be enough food," Robinson said of donations.

He said anyone interested in volunteering at the shelter for the Thanksgiving dinner or other times is invited to call the Good News at Noon office.

Clothing is always put to good use, he added.

"Just bring them by," he said. "We’ll have people who will unload it."