Handing out turkeys to the less fortunate

BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) -- The need is always there, but with the holidays here and a still struggling economy, the need is even greater this year.     

In Bristol Wednesday the community came together to help make sure the less fortunate would be able to celebrate Thanksgiving.
  
If you are in search of someone who truly understands the joy of giving thanks, you should meet Gus Alexander, who was volunteering his time Wednesday at Bristol's Christian Fellowship Center.

"Just to give back to the community and uh, help out and make myself useful out there, you know," Alexander said.

For more than a decade, the Fellowship center has donated millions of pounds of food for those in need.

Alexander is volunteering on the busiest day of the year, an event that historically gives out more than 1,300 turkeys, along with all the fixings.

"How about this one?"

And while Alexander is helping those short on cash, he could use a bit of help himself, but he doesn't see it that way.

"I'm unemployed right now," he said, "and unfortunately, there are people out there that are in worse condition than me, you know what I'm saying?"

"You can see the joy in the people that are helping, and it really uplifts the people coming in that are in need," said Pastor Dean Desjardins, Christian Fellowship Center.

The pastor says you get a good idea of the pulse of the state, and see people coming in and the need for turkeys and other foods during the holiday season. In fact he says, the need is so great, just on a day-to-day basis, he needs to expand his operations there.

The pastor will keep looking for people like Alexander, willing to give of his time, give thanks for what he  has, rather than what he's lacking.

"You could be out looking for a job, but you're here helping your community," News 8's Jamie Muro said. 

"It's better to give back around the holidays," Alexander said, "a job will come around at some point."