Nov. 27, 2008 – On Thanksgiving afternoon a man was leaving My Brother's Table and crossing Hospital Street in Frederiksted. He had a big smile on his face and a bag of food in his hands. He said to a passer by, "Food everywhere. Food left, food right. Food across. Food beyond." The big smile returned and he walked on.
My Brother's Table has been feeding the hungry and the homeless since 1989. The annual Thanksgiving celebration has grown over the years to now encompass three days.
"We couldn't do it without the help of the community," said the Rev. Rod Koopmans, who has been executive director for My Brother's Table for the last 11 years.
Those community helpers were out in force on Thursday, including members of the V.I. Police Department, Rotary West, and St. Croix Christian Church all on hand to help out.
The designated host Thursday was Rotary West. American Airlines hosted Wednesday and employees of Hovensa will host on Friday.
"This is a special day to be helping the needy," said Rose Carty manager at My Brother's Table. "It makes me feel good to see so many people helping out."
The smiles of servers and patrons brightened up the small green house which houses My Brother's Table. There were tables and folding chairs set up in every room except the kitchen. No one seemed to mind that it was not a fancy party center or that the table cloths were brown checked plastic instead of lace and the centerpieces were turkeys made out of paper bags rather than hothouse floral arrangements.
Giving the room all the brightness it needed was a new felt banner wishing a Happy Thanksgiving. The banner, done in fall colors, was made by Sunday school students from St. Croix Reformed Church.
The plates kept coming, piled high with turkey, ham, stuffing, green salad, macaroni and cheese, rice and beans and a sliver of pumpkin pie.
Valarie James-Laurent of Rotary West was serving the hungry and needy quickly so there was no waiting. She took special care wrapping leftovers to go for the patrons. According to Lula Parris, president of Rotary West, the club had ten members take time out of their busy day to volunteer.
Gavina Villafance, a frequent volunteer in the kitchen, was serving up side dishes.
"I enjoy volunteering here at My Brother's Table," Villafance said. "They are so organized at serving the needy," Villafance said.
Carty said they roasted three 20-pound turkeys and one ham in the Villa Morales restaurant oven, which is bigger than that at My Brothers Table. The final trimmings and fixings were done at My Brother's Table. Volunteers from St. Croix Christian also delivered more than a dozen dinners.
They had planned to serve 70 dinners today until 1 p.m. said Carty. By noon they had served 45.
Rod Koopmans, who has been executive director for My Brother's Table for the last 11 years, said this year the number fed may be down from last Thanksgiving.
"But we are 30 percent ahead of last year on the daily meals we serve," Koopmans said.
Donations came in from the Boy Scouts, Unitarian Universalists, St. Croix Reformed Church, St. Croix Christian, and the Frederiksted VIPD Bicycle Unit.
Officer Reuel Harris said the bicycle unit donated a turkey and a ham. "It feels good helping out," Harris said. "We have an officer here everyday to help keep things safe."
"This time can be an uplifting experience for those who are down on their luck," Koopmans said. " Today we are thankful for the help of the community."
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