From every direction, the swelling throng slowly migrated toward Chinatown Gateway Park yesterday just before 1 p.m.

They came to commune. They came to relax in the holiday season. Mostly, though, they came to chow down on an almost unimaginable cornucopia of edibles known as Thanksgiving of Hope.

The partakers, hundreds of the homeless, were served by an army of volunteers who seemed delighted by the opportunity.

A tall Texan decked out in black, who goes by the name "Cowboy Willie," rattled off a chow checklist before digging into a plate of grub that was every bit the equal of his size 13 triple-E cowboy boots.

"Ah man, I've got turkey, dressing, ham, three different kinds of sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie, rice and apple pie. How'm I gonna eat all this?"

Somehow, he got 'er done.

"This is fabulous," said the legendary, formerly homeless Sharon Black, whose Kau Kau Wagon makes for magic moments.

"We've actually moved up. Look, we've got live music for the first time. We always had a radio before."

The live music echoing through the concrete canyon was supplied by the Soundettes of Hawai'i — five women from Kaimuki who wowed the gathering with Christmas carols in five-part harmony.

One eater with a long beard and an engaging smile was dressed head to heel in a camouflage jumpsuit. He identified himself as "Jim S." The former sailor called the meal and music an exceptional treat.

"I've been here 24 years," said S. "I met a girl. Now I'm still here, and she's disappeared."

Sherri Rigg, who helps Black put the Thanksgiving of Hope extravaganza together, said it occurred to her and Black several years ago that on Thanksgiving Thursday benevolence abounds and homeless folks barely know which way to turn, there are so many delicious meals.

Two days later, they're hungry again.

The logical solution: Have Thanksgiving on Saturday. And a tradition was born.

When it was over two hours later, folks like Larry Guthrie, were left rubbing their stomachs in wonderment. Guthrie, obviously grateful, said the free meal was indicative of how things have been looking up for him lately.

"Right now, I'm still living on the street," he said. "But I've got a part-time job. And I'm trying to save enough money to get an apartment."

Truly, he said, it's a Thanksgiving of hope.

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.