As hundreds of people lined up for a Thanksgiving meal at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, it was likely they had no idea what went on behind the scenes.

"Everything from the floor on up is greenbeans and corn," volunteer cook John Pierson said as he pointed to a stack of boxes almost as tall as himself.

Pierson was one of 160 volunteers who spent weeks preparing for the big day.

"I know what it is to be hungry, especially hungry and lonely on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas," Pierson said.

Pierson uses his own hard times as inspiration when cooking.

Every Union Rescue volunteer News 13 spoke with had their own reason for helping out this Thanskgiving.

UCF students Stephanie Deleon and Maja Nikolic volunteered to fulfill a service learning project for school, and in doing so, quickly changed their hearts.

"I learned a lot of things about homelessness, situations and how to help people get back on their feet, and actually live a regular, normal life, and get back into the society, which is just wonderful," Nikolic said.

"This is something we want to do, something we want to continue doing, and we love it," Deleon added.

Pierson agreed, saying feeding the homeless is unlike anything else in the world.

"It seems like it's all about money and stuff, but when I cook for the mission here, and for people who have less than, I have a compassion for those who don't, because that's where I came from," Pierson said.

That is why all 160 volunteers who helped Union Rescue Mission feed hundreds of people this Thanksgiving are our Central Floridians of the Week.

To see this or other Central Floridians of the Week, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

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