The Friendship Table in downtown Bradford held its annual Thanksgiving Dinner Wednesday, part of the soup kitchen’s year-round efforts to feed the city’s hungry.
What started 27 years as way to keep families together on the holiday has grown into an annual tradition for some, including this year’s host, John Alexander.
Alexander has been there for all 27 years, fraternizing with the help and customers, most of whom he knows on a first name basis.
“I enjoy it. I like helping people out,” Alexander said, explaining that his tenure began after the death of his wife left him looking for a way to stay active in the community.
Twenty-seven years ago, Friendship Table dinners consisted of soup and a sandwich. On Wednesday, between 130 and 150 people received full course meals through the Friendship Table, with heaping trays of turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, dessert and salad.
The meals were served by 10 volunteers, seven of them Edmond Chevrolet and Shultz Toyota employees “trying to give back to the community,” according to salesman Bob Stidd.
The number of meals served varies year to year as do the donations that fund them. Clients won’t be turned away if funding falls short, but donations are vital to the program’s continuing.
Inside the Friendship Table’s East Corydon Street location on Wednesday, clients exchanged well wishes for the holidays with their servers and fellow diners. Some ate alone, silently, others dined in boisterous groups.
A woman who declined to be identified said she has been frequenting the Friendship Table since moving to Bradford 30 years ago. She said it is not only the impoverished city residents, but gas field workers and elderly social security recipients who also benefit from the service.
“Without it people go hungry or have nowhere to go,” she said. “Some people depend on it.”
Unable to reach her nearest family in Derrick City, the woman will spend the holiday alone, but said she “appreciates a place like this to come to.”
As for the food, she said “It’s very fine, you should try some.”
