Students use day off to cook for others

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – Schools were closed Wednesday, but that did not stop students from showing up at Russellville High School.

The reason why they were there may surprise you.

Volunteers and over 50 students gathered inside the Russellville High School cafeteria early Wednesday to prepare Thanksgiving meals for those in need.

They are thankful to get the opportunity to help others in the community they call home.

“What we say is this, ‘if you would like a dinner, you won’t be turned away,’”coordinator Steve Matthews said.

For the past 23 years Matthews has been helping others by providing them with a warm Thanksgiving meal.

Volunteers, students, local churches and his family have all joined in to help.

 “My grandfather heads it up. We have been doing this a few years now. I personally have done this seven or eight years now. I personally enjoy doing this. It’s become a family thing that we do together to help our community. It’s something I look forward to every year knowing that I can spend time with my family and my grandfather and help the community,” Emma-Grace Gwynette said.

This year the ‘Community Thanksgiving Dinner’ will provide over 1,500 meals to the elderly, the sick and those who are less fortunate.

Russellville city schools superintendent Bart Flener is proud to see his students helping their community.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to serve the community that they are a part of. One of our goals for our students in their transition skills is that they be compassionate citizens. What better way to do that than feed the folks in our community,” Flener said.

“It actually feels really good to help out knowing that we are helping over 1,500 people to eat for Thanksgiving with their families,”Jayden Hammer said.

Matthews said he is thankful to be able to help others this Thanksgiving.

“We have, over these years, a number of stories where food opened a door for us to be able to touch somebody’s life. That to me is what it’s all about really,” Matthews said.

Students will be delivering those meals on Thursday just in time for Thanksgiving.