23rd Year for Community-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner

Columbia, S.C.  (WOLO)  —  This Thanksgiving marks 23 years for the Interfaith Thanksgiving Day Dinner, sponsored by St. Peter’s Catholic Church and First Baptist Church to help bring good tidings and good food to the community.

Some 2,000 citizens, both at the Carolina Coliseum where the event is held and through deliveries to area nursing homes, were treated to a traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings Thursday.  An estimated $15,000 supports the event; however, guests are treated to food, fun, activities, clothing, even reading glasses, at no cost.  One volunteer in particular, Logan Schmitz, has been giving back to the community since he was nine years old.  His organization, Project Warmth, is responsible for making sure guests receive free hats, socks, gloves and sweatshirts.  At 15, Schmitz says he’s amazed at how large the project has become.

“I’m really proud of what I do and I enjoy giving back.”

The two-hours for the event may have already come and gone; however, the memories of a fruitful Thanksgiving will remain.