The annual Bea Gaddy Thanksgiving meal distribution tradition continued in Baltimore at the American Legion Post 285 for its 44th year. This year was the biggest dinner yet.

Shawn Boles came for a warm meal. It may have been his first time at the event, but he said it certainly won't be the last.

"I'm smiling so hard," Boles said. "Just enjoying conversating with strangers in this environment because there's no environment out there because of the crime, people don't want to conversate with you. So this event made people comfortable enough to come and talk to you."

The start of Bea Gaddy

The event is rooted in tradition for Cynthia Brooks. Her mother, Bea Gaddy, started the event in 1981.

"In 1981, my mother, the late Bea Gaddy, won the Maryland State Lottery for five straight nights.

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