NATCHEZ — Nathan, Andrew, Joanna and Julian Stubbs thought they were going to spend a nice, quiet Thanksgiving at home with family.

They thought wrong.

“Mom said, ‘Oh, we’re working at the Stewpot,” said Julian, a Cathedral graduate and a freshman at Hinds Community College in Jackson.

“I really didn’t have a choice, but I really didn’t mind.”

Mother Karen Stubbs organized a family volunteer operation Thursday, also recruiting husband Kenneth, mother-in-law Dotty, parents Barbara and Joe Culotta, daughter-in-law Jessica and future son-in-law Billy Dixon, to fill take-out trays with turkey and the trimmings.

“If you’re in my family, you’re here today,” Joanna said.

Joanna and her maternal grandmother Barbara were on dessert duty while paternal grandmother Dotty snapped photos.

“I’m so proud of my family. They’re precious,” Dotty said. “I wanted to be here in memory of my husband Jack. He worked at First Presbyterian Church and he loved coming here to help.”

Just a few steps away Julian and grandfather Joe handled the ham and the turkey.

“We came up from Baton Rouge to help the Stewpot and we’re having a good time,” Joe said. “I’m anxious to see the people sit down and enjoy their meal.”

The Stubbs family worked alongside longtime Stewpot volunteers Brenda Moore and Mary Lee Hunt, who shared laughs with the family while working the take-out assembly line.

“I enjoy coming to help out,” Hunt said. “When I go home, I eat my dinner, go to bed and I feel satisfied.”

Longtime volunteers were coupled with first-time volunteers Ajah Williams, 11, a sixth grader at Vidalia Junior High School and Gabriel Williams, 15, a freshman at Vidalia High School. Both students said the experience is one they will repeat.

“We’re giving out treat bags and drinks,” said Williams, a sixth grader at Vidalia Junior High School. “It’s going pretty good.”

Stewpot Director Louis Gunning said approximately 300 meals were served or delivered to area residents this Thanksgiving.

As diners began to line up outside, Karen credited her family with carrying out her secret holiday plan.

“They all jumped in. They didn’t even hesitate,” she said. “They’ve been troopers.”