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Volunteers Serve Hundreds At Annual Bea Gaddy Dinner

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore's Bea Gaddy legacy of giving lives on, feeding hundreds of needy families for Thanksgiving Day.

WJZ's Derek Valcourt was at the celebration and has more on a tradition that leaves so many feeling thankful.

The long lines started forming at 5 a.m. Thursday, but the cooking began late Wednesday night.

An army of volunteers once again greeted those in need for Bea Gaddy's annual Thanks for Giving Dinner.

"It's wonderful. It's like today we didn't really know where we were going to get our meal from," said Timothy Winfield.

The tradition launched 34 years ago when Bea Gaddy began feeding people out of her home.

Her family carried on her legacy after her death.

"I think her and my sisters are proud looking down and smiling," said Cynthia Brooks, Bea Gaddy's daughter.

Cynthia Brooks says it isn't easy pulling off this massive production, but says it's worth it when she meets people--like the first man in line, who hadn't eaten in days and passed out from starvation.

"That's all he wanted today was to get a meal. He knew he could get a meal if he came here today, and that's what's important," said Brooks.

The event almost didn't happen--there were not enough volunteer cooks--but a last minute desperate plea for help turned up new volunteers, joining those who have been helping for decades.

"It's a tradition for me and my family. I always bring my granddaughter, my son grew up doing this as well, just as a way of giving back," said Sen. Nathaniel McFadden.

Needy families leave with full bellies, bags full of free food and clothes and a heart full of gratitude.

"It's one of the most blessed things that anybody could do for people who really don't have a lot," said Wadell Gerald.

"Those of us who have the understanding are blessed and we say thank you. On behalf of all of those, I say thank you," said Warren "Cherokee" Furmann.

Organizers say this event helps feed about 1,500 people on Thanksgiving.

The Bea Gaddy foundations also delivered hundreds of meals to families who couldn't make it to the event site today.

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