NATCHEZ — Robert Bates left with more than just a full stomach after he walked into the Stewpot Thursday for his Thanksgiving meal.

“Everyone that walks in, they get blessed every time they come in here,” Bates said. “They get more than just a plate of food; they get a blessing.”

Bates, who is disabled and unable to work, comes to the Stewpot every day for a meal. Bates said he appreciates the volunteers who work to prepare the meals, especially on Thanksgiving.

“It’s very generous of them to come out and cook for people that they don’t know,” Bates said.

Sam Jones, who brought his 7-year-old nephew, Damion Johnson, to the Stewpot to pick up their Thanksgiving meals, said he, too, is thankful for the volunteers’ hard work.

“We’re glad they’re here,” he said. “They help a whole lot of people.”

Johnson took a peek inside his to-go box and grinned when he saw a slice of chocolate cake amongst the turkey, dressing, greens, cranberry sauce, potato salad and other food that was served Thursday.

Johnnie Davis, who has worked at the Stewpot for 18 years, came in at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to prepare food and didn’t leave until after midnight.

Feeding 250-300 people a day is a big job, but Davis said working at the Stewpot combines two of her favorite things in life.

“I love cooking for people, and I love helping people,” she said. “When my kids got grown, I didn’t have anybody to cook for. Then I came here and saw all these people, and I said, ‘OK, I can do this. I can help these people.’”

Dr. Brenda Moore, supervisor of child welfare and attendance for the Concordia Parish School District, has spent the past 10 years volunteering at the Stewpot during the holidays.

“I’m just so grateful God has blessed me and continues to bless me,” she said. “I’m just happy to come here and make sure everyone who comes in here has a happy Thanksgiving.

“When people walk through that door, we don’t know what challenges they are facing, so we all just continue to pray for them, and we want to make them feel like family here.”