On the Camillus House Thanksgiving menu: turkey, dignity, hope and community
By Carl Juste and
Douglas Hanks
Volunteers filled the kitchen of Camillus House on Thursday and people in need filled the dining room as the homeless shelter once again opened its doors for one of the larger Thanksgiving meals in Miami.
The Miami institution served more than 400 meals, mostly prepared by volunteers who got up early on Thanksgiving to cook, serve and clean. It was the 65th Thanksgiving for Camillus House, a tradition that offers a yearly window into the city’s sprawling needs and those who are trying to help.
Volunteers serve and distribute meals to hundreds of clients for Thanksgiving. Camillus House held its 65th annual Thanksgiving Celebration, a cherished tradition that brings hope, dignity, and fellowship to hundreds of individuals experiencing shelter insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner and other activities at its main campus on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Hundreds of Camillus residents and clients came for the meals, which included turkey, greens, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls and pumpkin pie. Camillus opened its doors to the media as well to showcase the facility’s services, including job placement, addiction treatment and day care.
A client bows his heads in prayer. Camillus House held its 65th annual Thanksgiving Celebration, a cherished tradition that brings hope, dignity, and fellowship to hundreds of individuals experiencing shelter insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner and other activities at its main campus on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Here are some scenes from the Thanksgiving celebration.
Volunteers gather and final instructions are given as Camillus House opens its dinning area to hundreds of clients for a Thanksgiving meal. Camillus House held its 65th annual Thanksgiving Celebration, a cherished tradition that brings hope, dignity, and fellowship to hundreds of individuals experiencing shelter insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner and other activities at its main campus on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Volunteer Anastasia Fernandez, 6, left, gets help from her mother Carolina Vester, 40, as she delivers a meal. Camillus House held its 65th annual Thanksgiving Celebration, a cherished tradition that brings hope, dignity, and fellowship to hundreds of individuals experiencing shelter insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner and other activities at its main campus on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Board member Nathan Berlinsky, center, checks for available seating as Camillus House held its 65th annual Thanksgiving Celebration, a cherished tradition that brings hope, dignity, and fellowship to hundreds of individuals experiencing shelter insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner and other activities at its main campus on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
A volunteer prepares a plate of food as Camillus House held its 65th annual Thanksgiving Celebration, a cherished tradition that brings hope, dignity, and fellowship to hundreds of individuals experiencing shelter insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner and other activities at its main campus on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Volunteers serve and distribute meals to hundreds of clients for Thanksgiving. Camillus House held its 65th annual Thanksgiving Celebration, a cherished tradition that brings hope, dignity, and fellowship to hundreds of individuals experiencing shelter insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner and other activities at its main campus on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published November 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM.
