Residents give thanks during difficult times

STEUBENVILLE - Lorraine Linton has been cooking turkeys for the past two days.

Fourteen of the birds have been prepared for an anticipated crowd of approximately 300 people who will stop at the Salvation Army building on North Fourth Street today for a dinner of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, rolls and pies.

"(There's) a lot of different pies," stressed Linton on Wednesday as she checked on the turkey meat stored in the downstairs refrigerators.

"We expect to see more people this year because times are tough. A lot of people just don't have much this year, and this Thanksgiving dinner is really important for them. But it is also a time for volunteers to come here to help us prepare the food, serve the dinners and clean up after the dinner," explained Linton.

And for Linton, the day also is a chance to give thanks for her husband who will be at home today.

"He was pretty sick and we weren't really sure he would be here by this time. But he has gotten better, and I am thankful to God and all the people, including strangers, who have prayed for my husband. I am also thankful that I have a job and can pay my bills. I sympathize with those who are out of a job this year," she said.

"God has been very good to me," she added.

While Linton was checking on a turkey, Steubenville Fire Chief Terri English stopped by the storage room to drop off two boxes of instant mashed potatoes.

As a member of the local Salvation Army board of directors, English has been asking community organizations to donate instant mashed potatoes to the Salvation Army's Christmas basket campaign.

"I'll be stopping at the store later today to pick up a Butterball turkey, and I'll get some more boxes. And I have been talking to different groups in the city encouraging them to donate to the Salvation Army for the Christmas season because we need the extra help this year," explained English.

Two blocks away visitors to the Urban Mission Unity Kitchen on Wednesday were enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce.

Anne Gilstrap, the Unity Kitchen cook, said the daily luncheon in the Urban Mission church basement "can be the only meal some of our folks eat a day."

"We offer a good hot meal every day. But we will be closed for Thanksgiving and are providing the traditional meal (Wednesday)," she noted.

Shirley Tingler has been volunteering at the Urban Mission and enjoying the luncheon for the past 10 years.

"My husband and I lived in a shack on South Fourth Street. But once I met God, we were able to buy a house in Mingo Junction. I have taken in a homeless military veteran who had no place else to go and he, along with several other people, will join us for Thanksgiving. And after our dinner I'll take food to three or four elderly people I know who can't get out," cited Tingler.

"I am thankful for God who has put a roof over my head and clothes on my back. That's all we really need to be thankful for. I believe we should be thankful for what we have and not worry about what we don't have," said Tingler.

Vicki Littlejohn of the Academy of Tae Kwon Do brought several students and their parents to volunteer Wednesday at the Unity Kitchen.

"We want to show the young people that karate is not just about kicking and punching. This is also about realizing how much they have and should be thankful for. And we have found our students leave here and encourage their friends to get involved," stated Littlejohn.

Cathy Pratt of Steubenville joined her friend Tingler at a table as they waited for the dinner to begin Wednesday.

"I am thankful for my family. But I am also thankful for the people here. This is like one big family," Pratt said.

"And Pastor Toni Hubbard is like a second mom to me. She makes us all feel welcome every day here. This is more than just an ordinary soup kitchen. This is a special place, and that's why we call it the Unity Kitchen," proclaimed Tingler.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)