CHARLOTTE -- The skies were gray, the air cool and the line for lunch at the Men's Shelter of Charlotte snaked halfway around the building Tuesday, unmistakable evidence of the difficult economic times that continue to leave vast swaths of the populace in day-to-day crisis.
But this was not a sight bereft of hope. Not on this day, when several Panthers rookies, team president Danny Morrison and the club's Stadium Food and Beverage department provided a meal of ribeye steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and cake for dessert -- and not on any other day.
Hope exists in the story of Sylvester Huff. He came to the Shelter years ago in need of assistance, treatment and medical help. Now, he's made it through culinary school, is back on his feet and volunteers -- "every day," he says with pride.
"People always think that (when someone) is homeless, that he isn't anything but a bum," Huff said. "You never know a person's circumstance. In my circumstance, I worked hard all my life, and it just dwindled. I lost my job, and then all my savings.
"I always tell people, 'You could be homeless tomorrow,'" he continued. "I tell people, 'Never think that you couldn't be homeless.' This place offers the opportunity to straighten their lives out."
For defensive end 
"It just makes you thankful for the blessings that you have," Brown said.
It's a sentiment certainly shared by his teammates who joined him: cornerback
"It's a real joy to see these guys here," Huff said. "To me, that's representing. That's hope."
But the shelter needs more help as winter approaches. On Monday evening, it served dinner to 500; when frigid nights arrive in the coming months, that number goes to approximately 550.
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