Washington, D.C. missionaries help serve 5,000 at annual Feast of Sharing
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
It took many hands to feed 5,000 in an annual feast that has become a tradition not only for the poor, but also for missionaries serving in the Washington D.C. North Mission. It also took a lot of turkey and pie.
For 12 years, Safeway has donated the food for the Feast of Sharing, held in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center the day before Thanksgiving. For at least half of those years now, LDS missionaries have joined with other volunteers in the area to prepare and serve a meal in grand style.
Observing them in action during the event, Liz O'Dell, a Salvation Army staffer who coordinated more than 200 volunteers, called the young missionaries "hard workers" who "really engage with the clients."
"It takes a special volunteer to do that," she said. "We definitely want them again next year."
She praised the missionaries' dedication, saying, "They really do have a heart for service."
A day earlier, two dozen missionaries dressed in "comfortable working clothes" sliced 900 pies and carved 8,500 pounds of dark and light meat from 350 cooked turkeys. According to David Thompson, executive chef at Centerplate catering's massive kitchen at the convention center, the hymn- and carol-singing missionaries worked so hard they finished their two shifts early.
"They did an outstanding job — above and beyond our expectations," he said.
Washington D.C. North Mission President James Matsumori and his wife, Sister Vicki Matsumori served alongside the missionaries.
Sister Matsumori said that the 60 missionaries who were serving dinner that day were sacrificing their preparation day to be there.
It didn't look like any of them minded as they toted heavy trays, bussed tables and changed table cloths.
The service was indeed noticed and appreciated by the invited guests.
Jacquetta Moon, seated with six of her seven children as well as her husband and an uncle, was attending for the fifth year. She said she appreciated the care taken in the table settings: "It makes everybody feel special." Her daughter Chardonnay, 15, echoed the sentiment. "I feel like it's a restaurant," she said.
In a well-orchestrated effort organized by the Metropolitan Baptist Church, missionaries were assigned to serve tables in the center section of the huge hall.
Elder Tyce Stewart commented, "It is amazing that on such a large scale so many people can have the same goal and come together to help each other. It makes you feel good."
Ken Forsythe, public communications manager for the Salvation Army's Capital Area Command, said his organization has worked with social service agencies since the Feast of Sharing began 11 years ago to identify and "reach out to families in need." The Salvation Army supervised food preparation as well as inviting guests.
The convention center donated the space and security staff.
SunTrust Bank provided volunteers' aprons and bus service to get folks there, as well as volunteers — such as employee Janet Cover who brings her extended family and friends each year — to help serve the meal. Local CBS radio personalities Justine Love and Shack 'Nd' Pack served as masters of ceremonies and called the missionaries up onstage for a bow.
Greg Ten Eyck, Safeway's Eastern Director of Public Affairs, who started the holiday tradition shortly after he joined the company, said LDS missionaries have been "very involved" in providing assistance to what is a massive group effort.
"It's a significant event we've come to enjoy and love," he said. "The only way an event of this kind can take place is through the spirit of giving."
