Fresno's Poverello House prepares for two days of Thanksgiving meals

FRESNO, Calf. (KFSN) -- Poverello House is taking action to make sure everyone in Fresno has a warm meal this Thanksgiving.

The organization stays busy year-round. However, according to the CEO, there's more of a need for Poverello's services during the holidays.

Every Thanksgiving, thousands of meals are handed out to those who would have gone without one -- if it weren't for Poverello.

"We're expecting 300 to 500 people, here on campus," said CEO Zack Darrah. "We also serve another thousand of meals or so that go out into the community, to the other shelters in town, Marjaree Mason Center, and other partners out in the community."

This is the first time Thanksgiving meals are being made in Poverello's newly opened kitchen. It's a bigger space, which will allow the capacity for more volunteers to make more meals.

"Today we'll have about 50-60 volunteers on site to both prep the meals and serve the meals," said Rafael Vasquez, director of culinary services.

Guests will enjoy turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Poverello staff said it's important everyone in the community gets a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

"Part of this meal is to make sure people know they're loved, they're cared for, that they feel that dignity that they have already," Darrah said.

Thomas Hickman is part of the Men's Rehabilitation Program, and also spent Wednesday morning prepping the Thanksgiving meals.

As someone who is currently benefiting from Poverello's services, he enjoys giving back to others in need.

"It's cool to know that everybody that comes here, we're helping in some way," said Hickman.

The organization hosted a Thanksgiving buffet Wednesday.

Poverello's Thanksgiving lunch begins at noon on Thursday.

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