Red Cross Exectuive Director Nanci Conley says it seems that the crowd and need has grown this year.
/ Lindsey Theis
After more than a week of hard work, Red Cross volunteers finally got the chance to see the benefits of their labor.
Saturday more than 200 volunteers spent time in the community serving Christmas dinner to those in need.
Over the course of several hours an assembly line of meals were put together and served to a crowd of more than 3,000 people at Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church. An additional 2,000 meals went out to others in Horry and Georgetown county.
The dinners are much more than a meal. Organizers say they represent reaching out to others in their time of need and putting everyone in the holiday spirit.
"It's everyone person here that has made a difference. Everyone here. Let it be someone sitting at the table, clearing the plates, someone eating at the center for the first time, they all made the dinner special," Red Cross Executive director Nanci Conley said.
Along with the dinner, hundreds of coats and other donated items were available.
This is the 23rd year for the Red Cross dinner and volunteers say even though they are away from their families today they've formed one just as important with the community.
Just to give you an idea of how much food the volunteers used to feed everyone - the group ended up purchasing three tons of turkey, 1300 pounds of stuffing, 900 pounds of green beans, and 1200 pounds of yams.
Bi-Lo donated $10,000 towards the tab.
