More than 4,000 Thanksgiving meals served at St. Mary's Soup Kitchen and The Rescue Mission

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Volunteers at St. Mary's Soup Kitchen and The Rescue Mission prepared more than 4,000 meals on Thursday

Volunteers believe the hard work is worth it at the end of the day once everyone is fed. They believe they get more out of it than they put in.

It gives them a feeling that brings them back again every year.

Antonio King has been volunteering at St. Mary's Soup Kitchen for 19 years.

"I wasn't real fortunate growing up and I know how hard it is out there and I've been in their shoes,” said King. “If I'm able to do things to give back and to help out I'm all for it as far as that goes."

David Jones is going on his twenty-fifth year at the Rescue Mission.

"What brings me back is just being able to serve the community,” said Jones. “To serve those who have less and to give them a good meal.  Because this might be the best meal they have all year."

Brittney Ellert told NewsChannel 15 she has been a volunteer St. Mary's Soup Kitchen since the fifth grade.

"I've been de-boning turkey all morning, serving dessert, setting up the dining room.  I mean it's a lot of work," said Ellert.

Katie O'Donnell is a newcomer compared to some. She and her family came to volunteer for the first time about two years ago

While volunteers may get a lot of attention on Thanksgiving, for several, volunteering is a weekly thing.      

Visit the web site for St. Mary's Catholic Church for more information on the Soup Kitchen.        

For more information on The Rescue Mission, check out the site.