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Paul Merker and Theresa Richards sat down just after noon on Wednesday for their Thanksgiving meal.

On the menu were mash potatoes, cornbread, sautéed string beans with shallots, cornbread stuffing, candied yams, and of course the roasted turkey and gravy.

The city residents, who are currently homeless, say the found about the At the Table’s free dinner just two hours before owner Janice Murphy opened the doors at her Bond Street eatery.

“We found out through word of mouth on the street,” Richards said.

Merker, a union carpenter said he isn’t sure what they will do once winter sets in.

“We’ve got to figure out something quick,” Merker said. “It’s not the first time I’ve spent winter outside but she [Richards] is like a sister to me and I have to watch out for her.”

Across the room, city resident Billy Lutz said he would not have had a traditional Thanksgiving meal if it weren’t for Murphy.

“I just got out of the hospital [Tuesday],” Lutz said. “I really couldn’t do any shopping or cooking this year.”

Open for six years, At the Table has been providing free Thanksgiving Holiday meals to the community for the past five years. Murphy’s children Ta’niya and Lovell worked behind-the-scenes with volunteers Lynette Brown and Jackie Bagner to ensure the day ran smoothly.

“I love doing this,” Brown said. “It really feels good to give back to your own community.”

The turkeys, purchased by Murphy, were prepared by Monmouth County Culinary Education Center of Asbury Park, along with the stuffing, mash potatoes, and string beans. Murphy prepared cornbread, yams, cake, and provided soda.

Joining the volunteer efforts were Asbury Park and Neptune High School students.

Sports Farm Executive Director Diteko Hammary brought the athletes enrolled in his SAT prep program, and the Asbury Park football team and cheerleaders began serving after 1 p.m.

Kia Lyons brought her Neptune High School African American Student Union members.

“Most of these kids are college bound, so it’s a community service opportunity,” Lyons said. “But it’s also humbling. It teaches them to give back to their community. The reality is that, right here in our own community, the less fortunate looks like you and I. In this redevelopment area of Asbury Park, it’s important to give back.”

First-year volunteer Malachi Lawrence, 15, said the experience was as he expected.

“I was surprised by the turn out,” Lawrence said. “It really opens up your eyes to see how many people are really out there that need help.”

Three-year volunteer Tracyanne Hocutt, 16, said volunteering is an important education for members of her generation.

“Most young people don’t really care about anybody but themselves,” Hocutt said. “Just being here helps me understand that people do need other people in the community to help them out and that can be, not only older people in our community, but people in our generation.”

In the end, At the Table provided over 250 meals to members of the community, with 125 of them being delivered by James Q Roberts to seniors.

“Some of them are disabled or shut ins who can’t really get out,” Roberts said. “We try to make sure they all have a fully cooked meal.”

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