Redwood Gospel Mission feeds thousands in Santa Rosa

Steven Roberts feasted on a rare hot meal Wednesday at the Redwood Gospel Mission’s Great Thanksgiving Banquet, a popular event aimed at feeding people in need and helping them celebrate the holidays.

“This is such a blessing,” said Roberts, who has been homeless in Santa Rosa for about three years. “Last night was so cold, and the night before was so cold … when you put 365 of those together it gets really hard, especially when you’re hungry.”

Roberts, 57, was one of an estimated 5,500 homeless and low-income people who flocked to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds for the Thanksgiving buffet, now in its 23rd year. As dozens of volunteers served piping-hot plates of turkey, green beans, potatoes and stuffing, hundreds more people crowded around tables at any given time throughout the day to share a feast. But to some, it was more than a meal.

“This is giving us a Thanksgiving and a Christmas,” said Paulette Oliver, a Santa Rosa woman and sole caretaker of her 9-year-old grandson, who has severe medical disabilities. “His mom and dad abandoned him years ago, so it’s hard sometimes - doing this all alone. It’s important for me to give him a traditional Christmas.”

After eating with her grandson Johnny, Oliver received a free haircut and left the fairgrounds with a cart full of trimmings for another holiday meal, turkey and all.

“This is so wonderful,” she said as her grandson played nearby and ate pumpkin pie.

An estimated 600 volunteers were on hand Wednesday to run the event. Some served up hot food, while others offered haircuts and foot washing and helped people enroll in medical care. Another crowd distributed groceries and other goods such as coats and blankets.

Jeff Gilman, executive director of the Redwood Gospel Mission, said the event has grown over the years but reached its capacity in 2008.

“It’s an all-day festival. That’s the only way we’d be able to serve so many people,” Gilman said. “Everyone loves it, whether it’s a volunteer or a participant, and we couldn’t do it without all the donations and all the people stepping up to help. It’s a reflection of the incredibly generous community we have.”

Gilman said the event is organized to serve homeless people and others who are struggling financially.

“So many people tell us if we weren’t here, they don’t know what they’d do for Thanksgiving,” Gilman said.

Ron Reynolds, a homeless man who recently qualified for an open bed at Sam Jones Hall, Santa Rosa’s largest homeless shelter, said he enjoyed Wednesday’s feast mostly because finding a hot meal can be hard at times.

“It’s such a treat,” said Reynolds, 47, who also picked up a winter coat. “And people treat you with respect.”

Santa Rosa resident Jose Diaz said he came for the food and the company.

“I’ve been coming for many many years,” said Diaz, 74. “I like it because I get to celebrate Thanksgiving with other people.”

Michael Sanchez brought? his six children, who range in age from 1 to 14, to the event. He said despite how small one meal might seem, it would help him financially.

“That’s a Christmas gift I’ll be able to give to my kids,” he said. “Luckily I just got a job in maintenance at the (Graton Rancheria) casino, but I hadn’t been working for two years, so every little bit helps.”

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com.