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Thousands attend Hosea Feed the Hungry Thanksgiving dinner

ATLANTA — Hundreds of volunteers spent the night before Thanksgiving preparing a huge meal for thousands of metro Atlantans in need.

Volunteers spent hours baking, stirring and putting the finishing touches on the 42nd annual Hosea Feed the Hungry Thanksgiving Dinner.

Food preparation for the event took place at the DeKalb County Jail's commercial kitchen, which was donated by the Sheriff's Office for the cause.

The line for the meal wrapped around the Georgia World Congress Center before it officially began at 10 a.m. Organizers said they expect 10,000 people to attend by 4 p.m.

Edward Parker has been a chef for the event for 27 years. He said he loves every minute of it.

"We get new volunteers and they get hooked and they come year after year after year," Parker said.

"When you come in, you don't know who's new and who's young, when we get together we are all one family working to help those in need," volunteer Leola Cooper said.

The event also offers other services for those in need, including hair cuts, chiropractic and clothing donations.

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