Sumter Thanksgiving tradition continues

More than 1,000 expected to be fed; volunteers, donations needed

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For more than 35 years, Geraldine Singleton has been spearheading what has become a Thanksgiving tradition in Sumter.

She started providing a free Thanksgiving dinner with several friends to "anyone who might not get one." This year, that dinner will be provided at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club on Sunday, Nov. 18.

In 2017 and for several years before that, Singleton and volunteers have fed around 1,000 people at the club on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and South Sumter Street on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Not only does Singleton cook turkeys and side dishes, she raises funds for the dinner and does much of the preparation. This month, she acknowledged that she needs more help as she must have back surgery soon.

"Volunteers donate money and time for the dinners, and a lot of them cook and bring dishes," Singleton said. "Without them, there wouldn't be a Thanksgiving dinner. I can't do as much this year because of my back problems, so I'm hoping more people will volunteer."

Many people and several businesses donate turkeys, hams, side dishes and desserts. Traditionally, Harvin Meats, Sumter Cut Rate, Evergreen and Liberty Seafood have made sizeable donations each year. The Church of the Holy Comforter has allowed Singleton the use of their kitchen for some of the preparation, and many church members are also volunteers.

As the turnout for the dinners has increased each year, Singleton has added a clothes giveaway, live gospel music and a brief sermon by the Rev. Joshua Dupree to the event.

"People really seem to enjoy visiting with each other as well as the meal," she said.

Besides volunteers to prepare and serve meals, Singleton said volunteers to deliver meals to the homebound are also needed. The meals are delivered before she opens the doors to the club at noon. The event usually lasts about two hours, she said.

Singleton said that, so far, nothing has prevented her from holding the Thanksgiving dinners and that she's determined to do it again this year and as many years afterward as her health permits. What keeps her going, she said, is the knowledge that so many people, especially the elderly and homebound, have no one else to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for them. She said seeing the many people enjoying the meal and company at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club and the cheerful volunteers is worth all the work.

To donate or volunteer to help with the dinner, call Singleton at (803) 775-2047. Singleton is often at the Sumter Cut Rate Coffee Shop, 32 S. Main St., between 8:30 and 10 a.m. on weekdays. If she's not there, donations can be left with the shop's cashiers at the front desk, she said.

Thanksgiving dinner will be served from noon until around 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and South Sumter Street. There is no charge for the meal.