THUNDER BAY -- Nick Purich spent his first Thanksgiving in town buying turkey dinner for the homeless -- 300 dinners, to be exact.

THUNDER BAY -- Nick Purich spent his first Thanksgiving in town buying turkey dinner for the homeless -- 300 dinners, to be exact.

Purich has been living in Thunder Bay less than three months but he and his visiting parents footed the entire bill for Thanksgiving dinner at Shelter House.

Purich grew up in Saskatoon and helping the less fortunate became a holiday staple in his household. He and his family continued the tradition in his new town on Monday, complete with cooking and serving meals.

"I've always felt very lucky and very fortunate in my family and in my own life that we've got food on the table," Purich said.

"In every city I've lived in, I've seen there are people that don't. It's a very prevalent need so it's relatively easy to get involved and do something about it."

Shelter House staff had been cutting carrots since early Sunday and over two days, they cooked 16 turkeys for clients, along with stuffing gravy and vegetables.

Shelter House development officer Alexandra Calderon said the turkey meal is a welcome protein change in her service's kitchen but there's something special about the Thanksgiving meal.

"There's a lot more families. Everyone's a lot friendlier," she said.

"There's something different in the air."