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By SHELLEY
HANSON
Staff Writer
WHEELING -- Hundreds of people lined up Saturday in North Wheeling to receive turkeys, vegetables and more to make a nice Thanksgiving dinner for their family and friends on Thursday.
The 33rd annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway, conducted by Bethlehem Apostolic Temple and many volunteers, took place at the North Wheeling Dream Center.
The event was held on a first-come, first-served basis. Many people arrived early in the morning to get their spot in line before the event's start at 11 a.m.
While standing in line, Tina Ray of Martins Ferry and her daughter-in-law, also named Tina Ray, said they were thankful for the annual event.
"It's a blessing," both women said nearly in unison.
They said having the free food makes putting on a special dinner a lot easier to do. Both noted they wanted to wish everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving."
Suff. Bishop Darrell Cummings, pastor of Bethlehem Apostolic Church, said they were going to help as many people they could during the giveaway.
"It's about giving thanks," he said, adding he started the event 33 years ago as a promise to God for helping feed his own family. "Hopefully, we've helped a few people and most importantly hopefully we show them the love of God.
"And show them that this is God's will," Cummings added. "God has to touch all these volunteers' hearts to come out and help us."
Following the event, Cummings said a total of 543 people showed up.
"Sadly we were not able to give turkeys to everybody. Several hundred got turkeys, but some others got chicken or other assorted meats. Sadly some got no meat at all. More sadly, we had to turn some people away because we didn't have enough," he said.
"We're going to try and do better for Christmas, but we're happy to help those who we did help."
Cummings said many of the volunteers had been working to get the giveaway ready all week at the dream center.
"Some have told me that this is how they start their Thanksgiving season by helping others," he said. "So they're really angels. They may not have wings behind them, but they're angels because they are helping us help others."