Dinner Feeds Hundreds Days Before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving comes a little early for hundreds of people at Little Rock`s Hall of Industry on Tuesday night. That`s where several churches and charities fed Thanksgiving meals to the homeless and less fortunate. Organizers with the First United Methodist Church say the dinner probably cost between $8,000-$10,000, including donations for the care packages and dinners that were sent home. The House Democratic Caucus sponsored the dinner, but donations from the state`s lawmakers were bipartisan. Six churches, including the First United Methodist Church joined forces to make it possible. Angela Flowers came to see if she could find any assistance. She is raising three teenaged children and her job does not pay enough for them to live on their own. "Cause I am employed, but I`m homeless, too," she said. "I have no transportation and I`m staying with my Mom." "We have buses coming from the Salvation Army, from Dorcas House, Women and Children First," explained Rep. Jay Martin, (D) District 40. Several hundred people from the area made it on their own or by shuttle. "From the ministry we do throughout the week, we believe there are a lot of people in need," explained Martin. Workers from Arthur`s Beauty College were on hand to give haircuts. Nextel provided cell phones. And the Social Security Administration and Veteran`s Affairs offered information on benefits and assistance.