Glide Memorial Church pre-Thanksgiving lunch serves some 750 people

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Glide Memorial Church opened its doors Wednesday to a pre-Thanksgiving lunch which featured volunteers San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Police Chief William Scott, and Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White.

They donned chef's coats and helped serve lunch to those who may have gone hungry this Thanksgiving week.

"We're first responders to a lot of unhappiness on the streets and we try to make peoples lives better," said Fire Chief Hayes-White.

Barbara Leahy is a regular at the church. "They serve a good meal. they make us feel welcome and at home," Leahy said.

There's that old saying, "home is where the heart is." At Glide it's also where the stomach is.

This is one of the first places Lloyd Wilson came when he needed food. "I came to San Francisco to find, seek help you know, to where I could get back on my feet you know."

On this day, Glide will be serving about 2,000 free meals - 750 for this lunch of chicken parmigiana sandwiches, fruit and veggies.

Glide founder Cecil William says his work is not done.

"Nobody should go hungry on Thanksgiving Day, nobody. And if so, we've still got a big job to do."

Chief Scott agrees. "It's been a really rough year and it's really heartwarming just to be able to serve."

It's heartwarming for sisters Nelly Rauseo and her seven-year-old sister Finley, who volunteered there for the first time.

"People need help and they need food too and they don't have homes. We're here to help them," Nelly said.

Mayor Ed Lee thanked the volunteers. "Thank you for opening up your hearts to all the people in need."