KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Some families play football or enjoy a specific dish as a Thanksgiving tradition. Yet, the Knox Area Rescue Ministries has a Thanksgiving tradition that is not like most other people's.
At KARM, Thanksgiving is about serving the community. So, they serve hundreds of people a Thanksgiving meal, with an additional fixing. Along with the meal, people will be able to connect to their families, no matter where they are, with free phone calls provided by U.S. Cellular.
This year, nearly 800 showed up. 140 people volunteered to help serve food.
People also were given free internet access to research housing and opportunities. U.S. Cellular associates were there to help people use devices.
KARM said the effort helps create a strong feeling of family.
"When you've got 800 of your closest friends showing up for dinner, it's just so, so sweet. But it gives us an opportunity to show compassion, which is the hallmark of this ministry," President Burt Rosen said.