On Thanksgiving, a chance to help others
"Lydia, ask what kind of pie he wants," says 10-year-old Niyah Peterson, returning to a counter of traditional, steaming-hot Thanksgiving fare.
"We need more rolls," Leonardo Garrett, 57, says from the other side of the buffet. For 25 years Garrett has been in command of this kitchen each Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"Are we out of cranberry?" someone asks.
"No, we're not," comes the reply. "She's got some down at the end, and we've got more coming."
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My holiday attire included a plastic apron, name tag and hair net.
On Thursday I helped serve the free meal at the Salvation Army in East Nashville. I volunteered for the holiday shift at The Tennessean and pitched working at the meal as my assignment. Tennessean photojournalist Sam Simpkins and I went there to help and do what we do best: Talk to people.
Each year, the post serves a free meal to hundreds of people who are in need. It is one of numerous Nashville charities that help with meals and services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 18 percent of Tennesseans live in poverty.
The people I met on Thursday were homeless and housed, dirty and clean, young and old.
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The dining room is an unremarkable space of white linoleum and white walls and white lighting with a Christmas tree at one end. An estimated 250 meals, more than 85 pounds of turkey, were donated by Cumberland Hospitality Group in coordination with The District, a downtown revitalization organization.
About an hour into this gig, there are so many helping hands the most I've done is shuffle pie plates and unwrap rolls. I've been dubbed "Stacey the Spy" by Don Reeves Jr., who has helped coordinate this meal for 17 years.
What is he thankful for?
"This moment," he says, looking at nearly full tables where children served the dinner guests. "Being able to set everything aside, forget about Paris. Forget about what's happening in Nashville. Forget about ISIS, and let God handle today."
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#Tennsgiving: What you're thankful for
Sam is talking to the man who sells The Contributor newspaper at 14th Street and Eastland Avenue.
His name is Thom Cannon.
Cannon has had ups and downs. He says he had several heart surgeries and other health problems. Now is an up: He has a roof over his head, he says, and a few friends.
He doesn't need a lot. But he wants one thing.
"A DVD player would be nice," he says. He's wanted one for three months but hasn't made the $30 purchase.
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Garrett has been a head cook here five nights a week since 1991. His black fabric apron stands out amid the army of white plastic ones worn by volunteers. He is a culinary captain who oversees the mixing of mashed potatoes and is the go-to when: "Hey Leo, we're almost out of lemonade." He's tall and thin, his beard is entwined with gray, and he speaks softly.
His son, Orlando Garrett, was shot and killed after a dice game in Nashville in 2004. Leonardo Garrett is raising his two grandchildren.
What is he thankful for? "Be living," he says.
He says he's in good shape spiritually and in good health. He says his uncle died Wednesday. Thursday, he's in the kitchen.
"We've been doing this for so many years, you feel me?" he said. "We won't turn anybody down over nothing."
Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 and on Twitter @sbarchenger.
How to help
Hands On Nashville is an agency that coordinates volunteer opportunities in Middle Tennessee throughout the year. See what gigs are coming up on the online calendar. For more information, call 615- 298-1108 or email hon@hon.org.