Mayor Bloomberg Spends Last Thanksgiving In Office Helping Those In Need

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Many people use Thanksgiving as a day to give thanks by giving back to those who are less fortunate.

From soup kitchens to Park Ave. restaurants volunteers were out around the city serving up Turkey dinners and dishing out smiles, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent his last Thanksgiving in office at the venerable Bowery Mission. The soup kitchen has been serving hot meals to hungry New Yorkers for more than a century.

The mayor spent the day handing out bags of brand new, warm clothing to those in need.

"I like my jacket. It's cold and I need a new jacket. Thank you!" one woman said.

Bloomberg also took time to thank those who came out to volunteer.

"It's a shame that people need help, but it's also heartwarming that when someone needs help in our city people get out and help them," the Mayor said.

On a day when many people look forward to a home cooked meal, dining out at a restaurant was a special treat for some.

"This is the first time I've been out in a long time," City Meals On Wheels client, Vernon Allick said.

Allick and others who depend on home deliveries from Meals On Wheels were treated to food and fellowship at Wildwood BBQ.

"We try to make it as special as we can. So, our entree is going to be apple cornbread stuffing, roasted and smoked turkey dark meat," Curt Johnson explained.

At Catholic charities in Ozone Park participants danced off the calories from their turkey dinners while young people experienced the joy of giving back.

"I just like helping people. It feels good to make the older people happy," Emily Driscoll said.

A nice smile and piece of pumpkin pie will do just that.

Mayor Bloomberg's sentiment was shared by volunteers on the Upper West Side at the Goodard Community Center.

"I wake up in the morning and I'm as excited as can be to get here and see the people that come in," Center Co-Chair Peter Meyer said.

More than 1,800 people were on hand to share the home cooked, family style meal.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories