Hundreds Served at St. Mary's Church

Volunteers at St. Mary's Catholic Church downtown Fort Wayne planned to serve about 750 sit down meals, and about the same number of carry out meals for Thanksgiving.

Christmas carols drifted through the church Thursday, as Thanksgiving Day dinner was served.

Organizers says they've seen about a 20% increase over years past, and without the open hearts of volunteers, they could never keep up with the need.
 

"People in the Fort Wayne community have been great," said Chairman Pat McBride. "We've had donations of money, donations of desserts, food and time. People step up here in the hard times."

Bishop John D'Arcy, head of the Fort Wayne-South Ben Diocese was on hand for the celebratory dinner. With his retirement pending in January, D'Arcy said he looked forward to next Thanksgiving, when he would spend the day with his own family members for the first titme in more than 20 years.