Thanksgiving dinner served up to 300 at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Thanksgiving came a day early at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission for 300 people who were hungry and in need of a hot meal today.

The newly renovated dining hall opened for lunch and there was a solid line to get in. Every seat was filled quickly.

The meal included freshly cooked turkey, salad, green beans, a sweet potato and regular potato mix, carrots and for dessert, pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

"This is a special day,  lots of donations, lots of people giving turkeys we had over a hundred turkeys if you can experience this, it is electric," said Santa Barbara Rescue Mission Guests Services Director Kevin Carroll. "We've got a lot of happy faces, got a lot of happy stomachs.  Just talked to a guest who said we need to catch the taste of this unfortunately we don't have smellavision."

Nearby, Roger Moody was enjoying his meal and said, "it is my first time here  and it won't be  my last time. I am thrilled to be here receiving a good meal and all these people are really, really kind to help us. "

Among the servers were local members of the Boy Scouts of America, Montecito Journal Columnist Richard Mineards and Congressman Salud Carbajal (D) California.

The mission says there will be enough turkey for today's meal and some special dinners in the weeks ahead. It can always use donations throughout the year.

For more information go to: https://www.sbrm.org/