In the dining hall at St. Vincent de Paul in Mesa, dozens of volunteers and staff worked quickly to prepare the Thanksgiving morning meal.
Serving Maricopa County since 1946, the nonprofit organization provides food, shelter, health care and support services to those in need while fostering a sense of community.
The Mesa location is one of four dining rooms offering Thanksgiving meals, an annual tradition that highlights the organization’s mission.
While they typically don’t see an increase in guests during the holidays, the day does bring an influx of volunteers and donors. Among them are store owners who regularly donate goods but make a point of stopping by in person for Thanksgiving and greeting Christel Armstrong, the Mesa dining room’s program manager.
Armstrong recognizes that the day also provides an opportunity for the community of volunteers who fill the space.
“In a world full of selfishness, the only respite we can give is giving,” she said.
Armstrong is overseeing her fourth Thanksgiving and she estimated they will serve 200 to 250 people, including about 10 families and 22 children.
Volunteers are trained in advance, with specific assignments ensuring that the day runs smoothly.
Armstrong described it as a well-oiled machine by the time they opened their doors.
For some families, volunteering on Thanksgiving is a way to honor deceased loved ones, said Jessica Berg, the nonprofit’s chief program manager.
Berg shared the story of a longtime volunteer, Patty Vincent, who passed away last year.
“Her whole family is here today to celebrate her. They have decided this will be their new Thanksgiving tradition, in honor of their matriarch,” Berg said.
For Armstrong, the meal service is about more than just providing food.
“We serve food because people need it, but what we’re really doing is feeding hope for tomorrow,” she said.
“Serving meals brings people to us, and then we can see who is in need and address the real issues.”
Over the past eight years, Berg has witnessed the growing demand for services in the Valley.
St. Vincent de Paul has expanded its shelter capacity from 49 beds seven years ago to 491 beds in multiple locations today.
The housing crisis and rising costs of living have exacerbated the need.
“We used to help people stay in their homes for $500,” Berg said. “Now rents are sometimes $1,000, $3,000 – it’s astronomical. Grocery prices are also a huge burden. We are raising more money than ever for homelessness prevention.”
The Maricopa Association of Government reports that the number of homeless people in the county increased from 7,419 in 2019 to 9,642 in 2023.
“Between the end of the eviction moratorium, the loss of federal aid and skyrocketing rents, there are only more people in need,” Berg said.
This year, she has noticed a shift in community attitudes.
“I think more people can identify with living paycheck to paycheck. There is more empathy and discussion about these issues,” Berg said. “The generosity of this community makes us the largest St. Vincent de Paul in the world.”
The guests lining up for the meal came from different backgrounds.
Andrew Scyres, a veteran, stopped by for “chow” before heading to his mother’s house.
This year was the first time he found himself in an uncertain living situation.
A friend told him about the meal service, which he said he would postpone until he could be with his family.
For Aquan Gray, this Thanksgiving was his first in Arizona.
After traveling from Atlanta by freight train, he didn’t know anyone in town, but found his way to the dining room.
“This will be different food. They don’t get yams or soul food – probably tacos or something – but I’ll try,” he said, laughing.
Another guest, Diana Cofield, had traveled from Alabama with her husband and son with the promise of housing. However, upon arrival they discovered that the promise was a mistake.
“We were misinformed,” she said, explaining that they were now two and a half weeks away from moving into a home they found through the 211 hotline.
For now, the family shared their Thanksgiving meal in the car, but they remained grateful for the time together.
“We’re still together, and that’s what’s important,” Cofield said.
In the spirit of thanksgiving and giving: How your support has kept a 31-year tradition alive
This article originally appeared in the Arizona Republic: Thanksgiving hopes in Phoenix area amid rising housing and food costs
