Cardinals running back David Johnson passes out applesauce at Phoenix Rescue Mission on Monday evening.
Many children can get anxious waiting for a Thanksgiving meal. It makes it easier when David Johnson is there to help pass the time.
The star running back was among many from the Cardinals organization who served dinners to the less fortunate during the team's annual "Feed The Hungry" event Monday night at Phoenix Rescue Mission.
Johnson would stop to converse with patrons big and small, undoubtedly giving one particular youngster a thrill after a short conversation and a fist bump before dinner. Johnson's upbringing had its own challenges, and it meant a lot to him to be in a position to make a difference.
"The biggest thing is just seeing people get excited, seeing people be happy," Johnson said.
Johnson, defensive tackle Josh Mauro, punter Drew Butler and tight ends Troy Niklas and Hakeem Valles joined Nicole Bidwill, Vice President of Player Personnel Terry McDonough and others in the organization as the food suppliers at the event.
Team president Michael Bidwill was right alongside them, handing out plate after plate.
"The kids are excited that the players are there, and the moms are excited that the kids are excited," Bidwill said. "So you see people that are a little down on their luck right now, that are trying hard and just need a little bit of extra help. And that's what Thanksgiving is really about, reaching out and helping out people."
It was a festive atmosphere, as the kids were lively and team mascot Big Red received multiple hugs as the guests made their way to the tables. Butler handed out Cardinals scarves to each patron and many put them on right away.
Mauro knew how much the event meant to many people who may not have a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.
"They're very gracious," Mauro said. "You can just tell how much it means to them. It's a blessing to be able to do something little to help them out. I know it's a big deal to be a part of it, and I'm excited to be a part of it. I'm glad to see the happiness and the joy on their faces."
Images of the Cardinals serving a Thanksgiving meal to those less fortunate at Phoenix Rescue Mission on Monday
![Team president Michael Bidwill passes out dinners](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/mirudlcizladlriag94y.jpg)
Team president Michael Bidwill passes out dinners
![RB David Johnson delivers applesauce](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/q6wdmlayweqy5lrquips.jpg)
RB David Johnson delivers applesauce
![TE Troy Niklas is on roll duty](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nc5lurygphvadcc0cgtj.jpg)
TE Troy Niklas is on roll duty
![Big Red gets a big hug from a guest](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/gq1wahoncj1rs9s4zxf2.jpg)
Big Red gets a big hug from a guest
![TE Hakeem Valles drops off some food](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/yapmudtlyexohv92hspj.jpg)
TE Hakeem Valles drops off some food
![DT Josh Mauro makes a friend](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/gvrnbywavv5yglixv2oc.jpg)
DT Josh Mauro makes a friend
![Nicole Bidwill passes out salads](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/xi9xlvmyqq8u5gpz6xfp.jpg)
Nicole Bidwill passes out salads
![P Drew Butler and his wife hand out Cardinals scarves](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/h1n2yoatxcqprxjby3jn.jpg)
P Drew Butler and his wife hand out Cardinals scarves
![Vice President of Player Personnel Terry McDonough passes out eating utensils](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/m5m73h2l8rw6kgtaxpes.jpg)
Vice President of Player Personnel Terry McDonough passes out eating utensils
![RB David Johnson pouring the cranberry sauce](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/nymgf6ytgudrdnyus6jj.jpg)
RB David Johnson pouring the cranberry sauce
![Big Red hands out napkins and eating utensils](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/zxzzfm4jgxazdfgjzzsd.jpg)
Big Red hands out napkins and eating utensils
![Team president Michael Bidwill dropping off a meal](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/huyity668vmqu7rfe82k.jpg)
Team president Michael Bidwill dropping off a meal
![A high-five for Big Red](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/t49uqxvvjou19ebrimvs.jpg)
A high-five for Big Red
![RB David Johnson gives a fist bump to a youngster](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/xofnr6gzxcmtl2jdbuce.jpg)
RB David Johnson gives a fist bump to a youngster
![Getting more food to hand out](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/zkotj9qab73eb2k3i0rh.jpg)
Getting more food to hand out
![P Drew Butler gives out water](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/uhzpvzcqnrwr4warlrk5.jpg)
P Drew Butler gives out water
![A full house for the Thanksgiving meal](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fz21e0inovsenm6zhuax.jpg)
A full house for the Thanksgiving meal
![The group gets ready to start](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/fkkqdx7q46oig48bqiqj.jpg)
The group gets ready to start
![Team president Michael Bidwill puts on his gloves](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/rvpyvjjrpsdmnjobrrad.jpg)
Team president Michael Bidwill puts on his gloves
![RB David Johnson handing out milk](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/cardinals/pya8ez29mzbskmdwqtw8.jpg)
RB David Johnson handing out milk