When Lander University student Isabella Young realized how many people in Greenwood could be facing a lonely or financially strained Thanksgiving, she decided the holiday should feel different this year.
With no prior large-scale event experience, Young rallied volunteers, raised the money needed, planned the menu, created promotional flyers, worked with local restauranteur T.J. Jenks of Montague’s to order food, and opened the doors to a community-wide Thanksgiving dinner that welcomed about 400 guests.
What began as a simple act of compassion became a powerful reminder of how one student’s heart can bring an entire community together.
A Simple Social Media Post Brought Results
It all began with a simple social media post on Facebook early in November in which Young, a Lander senior majoring in business, said that she wanted to provide a Thanksgiving meal for the community. From there, her idea began to take shape as community members responded to help her.
Young said her parents’ devotion to community service was her inspiration for the event. “My parents always have been interested in helping the community,” said Young, the daughter of Len and Melony Young, owners of Young’s Concrete in Greenwood. “I have seen the way that they want to help others, often without people knowing what they do, and they have inspired me.”
Realizing that many people were experiencing hardships with food insecurity and that others may not have family with whom they could enjoy a holiday meal, Young said she decided to act. In the early days of her planning, “It was completely stressing me out for sure,” she said. “But I knew it was a good idea if I could just make it happen. It was a chance for people to have a meal and fellowship.”
Her own family, who knew nothing of her idea until they saw her Facebook post, quickly offered guidance. Her father provided practical business advice on raising money, and other family members offered emotional support and commitments to help her cook. “It became a family affair,” she said. “And then came the community support. So many people wanted to help, and that was critical to our success.”
Young’s plan for a “Thanks Giving Dinner” was a go!
Isabella Young worked all areas of the Thanksgiving dinner – from marketing and promotion to food prep, cooking, taking orders from guests and preparing plates of food. Photo by Karen Petit.
Behind the Scenes
Isabella’s menu, made up of family favorites, was one that Southern Living magazine might offer: smoked turkey, ham, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits and rolls, banana pudding and cherry cobbler.
At 8 a.m., she arrived at Montague’s Restaurant to begin the prep work for the meal, while her brother, Seth Young, headed to Fat Daddy’s Barbecue to work with restaurant owner, Chris Reeder, to smoke the turkeys and cook the hams. “I was shocked when I knew what Isabella was planning. She’s never done anything like this before, but I would do anything to help my sister,” he said.
Cooking the turkeys and hams wasn’t the challenge it might seem. Seth Young worked at Reeder’s restaurant for about four years. “Chris taught me everything that I needed to know,” he said. “He prepared me for this moment. Our family has been very blessed, and this was a chance for us to give back to the community which means so much to us.”
Jenks, who provided Montague’s as the setting for the event, was reluctant to take credit for his part in the day. “This was completely Isabella’s idea, and she deserves all of the credit,” he said, “I wanted to see her succeed. She did all the leg work, and I’m just here to help.”
Jenks praised all who assisted in the day. “This really did become a community effort. One of the things that I love about Greenwood is that people want to help when they can, and they do.”
Volunteers Offer Service and Smiles
Not only did the Young family volunteer, but community members from all walks of life donned aprons and became servers. Any Amaya, a 16-year-old student at Greenwood High School, serves on the Mayor’s Youth Council. “Being in this group has shown me the importance of service and how all of us can make a difference,” she said. “Not everyone has the privilege of having a holiday meal. I wanted to give a hand and be part of people helping people.”
Business entrepreneur Kai Stoudemire-Williams, the owner of a hydroponic farm in Greenwood, brought her children Noa and Max to help her serve guests. “I always want to make sure that we are teaching our children the importance of serving others,” she said. “I want them to help other people to be able to experience a quality meal and enjoy a special time together.”
When she saw the Facebook post, Stoudemire-Williams was quick to respond. “We’ve helped with the Red Cross, the Greenwood District 50 summer meals program and relief efforts after Hurricane Helene. I want my children to know that to whom much is given much is expected. Having the ability to serve others is a gift.”
A Story That Began at Lander
The Young family’s devotion to the community has some of its roots at Lander. Len Young was an education major who started his own business while in college. He met his future wife Melony at Lander. She graduated with a degree in math, and they embarked on building their business together.
Their son Seth, a photographer, earned his bachelor’s degree in visual arts, and Isabella will graduate with her degree in December 2026.
“Lander has been a large part of our family’s life,” said Young. “My wife and I are empty nesters now. We raised our children to be independent, and they are. I’m proud of them, and seeing how hard Isabella worked on this event makes me especially proud. She’s done all of this while going to school. It’s been a lot of work for her, but she wanted to do this, and we are happy to support our children in the things that are important to them. We believe in giving back.”
A Lesson in Reality
Isabella said that the experience has been a great lesson in real life. “As a business major, I realize now that no matter how hard you try to budget that things are going to be more expensive. Whatever you think your goal is, you need to make it higher.”
She admitted to having anxiety early in the day. “When I woke up, I admit I was scared. I was afraid I would mess everything up. I was so stressed out.”
But as the day went on and she had the support of family, friends and volunteers, she said her fears subsided so that she could focus on what mattered – serving the people who came to the “Thanks Giving Dinner” that she organized.
“And you know what? Things really did turn out well,” she said. “People came together, and we had a great time. We exceeded my expectations. We fed so many people. I am beyond grateful.”