Annual Thanksgiving meal continues tradition of giving
By Chris Fish
cfish@hometownnewsol.com
BREVARD - The holidays are looking a little brighter for those in need this year, thanks to a free Thanksgiving meal at Sidney Fischer Park in Cocoa Beach.
For more than 20 years, members throughout the community and those from WEGO Ministries, a non-denominational Christian Ministry, have hosted this dinner in an attempt to aid the homeless and those in need in the local community.
This year's meal is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
Daniel Socarras, who has been leading the dinner for six years, said he decided to become involved based on the Christian way of thinking: giving back to those who need it most.
"It's about people getting together to support those in need," he said. "The dinner started in the name of Jesus and is done out of the love of Christ."
The meal, which will feature a full Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, is open to anyone in need throughout the county.
Mr. Socarras said he and his team of volunteers spend the months leading up to the event fundraising in order to purchase the food and supplies needed.
"I have an agreement with someone who has the ability to cook all of the turkeys at once," Mr. Socarras said. "We do the sides at the park. I have one of our volunteers lead the kitchen areas, and we cook all of our sides right there on big grills."
Mr. Socarras said he and the group of volunteers will start setting up for the meal at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, but he is always in need of more volunteers to help with the event, including set-up, serving food and breaking down the service area.
For more information about the free Thanksgiving meal for those in need, or, if you are interested in volunteering, contact Daniel Socarras at (850) 496-3471.