For those who may not have a home to go to on Thanksgiving, the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission served a hot meal to homeless residents on Wednesday.

The annual Thanksgiving meal brings in about 300 people for a rare opportunity to sit inside, connect with others and get a warm plate of food with all of the holiday staples.

“It’s difficult to be homeless every day of the year, but especially during the holidays. I think you’re reminded of what you lack,” said Rolf Geyling, president of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. “First and foremost, we just want them to feel a touch of grace.”

Guests are able to sit down for as long as they want as they eat food donated by the community and served by 35 to 40 volunteers.

Barton Spragues said it was one of the best meals he’s had in a long time. 

“This is fantastic. It’s like a little touch of home,” Spragues said. “This is like being at home and having my aunts and uncles cook, but with lots of people.”

Spragues said he has struggled with housing instability for the past 10 years after facing cancer, the death of his father, and a divorce.

“I’ve had 10 years of not being stable in housing. Prior to 62, I owned homes and had all kinds of things,” Spragues said. “But getting cancer and losing family members, siblings, not having family, it’s been a bit of a challenge, but I’ve gotten some new hope here.”

During the Los Angeles County fires, Spragues said he was robbed and lost everything, including his glasses, his ID and even his dentures. He made his way to Santa Barbara because he heard about the Rescue Mission and has been staying in shelters while he works to get back on his feet. He hopes to get permanent housing within the next four months.

The annual meal also gives volunteers a chance to give back to others during the holiday season.

Ron Werft, recently retired president and CEO of Cottage Health, returned to volunteer at the dinner with his wife after about 10 years. The two used to volunteer each year with their kids when they were younger. 

“I’m very grateful to be able to be a part of this, but also it is just a reminder of how important it is for us to help people in the community that don’t have as much as many of us do,” Werft said.

He noted how kind the guests were as they were eating and being served. 

“What has really stuck out is, these are conversations that many of us don’t have on a daily basis, and so just to see people who have real challenges in their lives still have really an abundance of kindness that they’re expressing to each other and to the staff who are working here,” Werft said.

For Kendra Nolan, Wednesday’s dinner was one of her first chances to connect with others over a meal since she became homeless earlier this year.

“I feel that this is a great opportunity for those who are in need of food, those who are homeless, those who aren’t able to provide for themselves,” Nolan said. “This is also a great way to bring your community together.”

Nolan said she became homeless earlier this year after her foot was run over, leaving her unable to work.

As she works to get her life back to normal, Nolan said she enjoyed getting a chance to connect with the community.

“It was an honor to come together with the Santa Barbara community and show how great Santa Barbara is as far as serving their community,” Nolan said.