Thanksgiving was not normal for many Far Rockaway residents coping with the damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy, but a collaborative effort by The Bowery Mission and the Queens Pastors Network gave hope to many, because 950 hot Thanksgiving meals — with all the fixings — were served in a heated tent decorated for the occasion.

More than 16,000 pounds of food and supplies were distributed by more than 125 volunteers during the all-day event.

“There’s no chance that they’re going to have a dinner like we do in our homes, so we wanted to bring that to them,” Bowery Mission Executive Director Brian Johansson said.

The Rev. Joel Sadaphal, executive director of the Queens Pastors Network and the pastor of Living Word Christian Fellowship in Ozone Park, wanted to demonstrate that the church is not only an institution housed in buildings but a part of the community available to serve, especially in a time of need.