Sulzbacher giving Thanksgiving to hundreds

Hundreds in Jacksonville to receive home cooked Thanksgiving meal

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Everyone has something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving and for hundreds at the Sulzbacher Center, they are thankful for what they haven't had in a while, a good home cooked meal.

The Center is opening its doors Thursday for a very special dinner.

Cooks at the Sulzbacher Center say they've been prepping the Thanksgiving dinner for days now.

The turkeys, the stuffing and all the trimmings -- ready to serve one of the biggest meals in the city on Thanksgiving day.   

"We're going to have turkey, homemade dressing, tons of food," Sulzbacher Center Public Relations Coordinator Allison Vega said. "Single men and single women, everyone is invited to stay and participate in the meal."   

Public Relations Coordinator Allison Vega says the Sulzbacher Center serve more than 450 residents at Noon Thursday and then they'll open their doors to the general public, for another dinner at 3 p.m.   
   
Administrators say the face of the homeless has changed. They say more families are living without more than ever before.

More than 100 families are on the waiting list in need of place to stay.   

"The demographic has significantly changed over the past three years," Vega said. "We are seeing more and more people coming to our doors who need help. It's their first time becoming homeless and the largest increasing population we are serving are families."  

Administrators say dozens of volunteers will be serving the food that was donated by local businesses, giving the homeless a home cooked meal and something to be grateful for.  

"The best time of the year is Thanksgiving because people want to give back," Vega said. "We get so many calls from people in the community. They're grateful for the support of volunteers and donors."