DECATUR - When a person has no family of their own, a substitute family is a blessing.

"We're all family here," said Penny Rhea, a resident of Grace House who enjoyed a hearty Thanksgiving meal at Water Street Mission on Thursday.

The meal was served by Vinnie Barbee, owner of Vinnie's Barbee-Q, and a staff of volunteers. Barbee has provided the holiday meal at the mission for seven years.

"When he opened up his business, he wanted to give back to the community," said Mick McCommack, director of Water Street Mission. "All we do is set up the tables and chairs and provide the drinks."

The event was crowded with those who have no homes or nowhere to go for the holiday. One little girl, with her plate full in front of her, made funny faces at McCommack to make him laugh.

"A lot of the people here can't afford any dinner or they live at places that don't provide food, or they live on the streets," he said. "This is a safe haven for them. They come in here, and they have fellowship."

The mission, which is affiliated with Maranatha Assembly of God, provides a meal and worship service every evening.

"My employees have been helping me out every year," Barbee said. "Thanksgiving is for giving back to people and thanking people. That's what we do right here. We're waiting on these people here. This is their day."

Barbee smokes the turkey on a grill and gets food donations from area businesses.

"I get a lot of help from my friends," he said with a smile.

Shawna Rashe, manager of Grace House, brought several of the residents and Vickie Chiaradonna, the night manager.

"We have two (meals), actually," Chiaradonna said. "We have one here, and then we go home and have another one. We've been cooking for two days."

Another attendee at the dinner was Millikin University chemistry professor Paris Barnes, whom Barbee calls his "partner in crime." The two men are working together on another charity drive, "1,000 Blankets or Die."

"We want to blanket Decatur with love," Barnes said.

They're trying to collect 1,000 blankets by Dec. 21 to hand out to the homeless, nursing homes, shelters and anyone who needs one, he said. Weight Watchers in Brettwood Village has pledged a dollar for every pound lost at their facility, and the effort also has received donations from individuals.

To donate, call Barnes at 424-6272 or on his cell phone, (630) 291-7811.

Valerie Wells can be reached at vwells @herald-review.com or 421-7982.