Just as much as Thanksgiving is about the dinner and time with family, many use the holiday as the opportunity to give back.The Bea Gaddy Family Center fed thousands of people at its 41st annual Thanksgiving dinner in honor of Gaddy, who was known as the Mother Teresa of Baltimore. For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people could go inside, sit down and enjoy their Thanksgiving meal with others as part of a tradition that's so cherished and so needed in Baltimore."It's exciting. It's heartwarming to be able to help people have a nice Thanksgiving," said Cynthia Brooks, Gaddy's daughter and the center's executive director."For us to keep this tradition going is something that we have to do in order for Baltimore to be the best version of itself," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said.It's a tradition that helps thousands of people in need, who lined up outside of the Virginia S. Baker Rec Center in Patterson Park, anxious to get their plate."(I was) first in line this morning at 6 o'clock," said Valerie Sligh. "It helps my family, my dogs and animals, and people."People don't just get to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, they also get food to go. They can take a bag of groceries and a turkey with them."They give out food for you to take home, and it really helps you out for the rest of the week. I can make it to December," said Carlos Josey.Volunteers delivered thousands of meals to older adults who could not attend in person. It's an effort made possible by many last-minute donations and helping hands -- from young volunteers, like Isabella Tanase-Coles, to veteran volunteers, like Carlos Strawder, who has volunteered at the dinner every year for the past 10 years."It feels good giving the food to people who are going to take it to people," Tanase-Coles said."I like helping the less fortunate, you know, because I don't know where I'm going to be in 10 years. I like helping people because you get your blessing," Strawder said.As volunteers bless others, they think of the woman who started it all. Gaddy started hosting the dinner from her home in 1981. She died in 2001. Brooks believes her mom is smiling down this Thanksgiving, seeing her legacy continue to impact others."I think she would be extremely proud," Brooks said.There's also a clothing drive in which people can get any clothing they need.