Cardinals president Michael Bidwill (left) and long snapper Mike Leach help serve dinner Monday night at the Phoenix Rescue Mission.

Quarterback Ryan Lindley heard about the possible cancer diagnosis of Chiefs safety Eric Berry on Monday afternoon, then helped serve a Thanksgiving dinner at the Phoenix Rescue Mission that evening.

The Cardinals may have lost a ballgame on Sunday afternoon to the Seahawks, but it was put into perspective quickly after that chain of events. Lindley was one of several members of the Cardinals organization to participate in the team's 13th annual Feed the Hungry event, where they served a meal to less fortunate men, women and children.

"It's the little things, from having a warm meal to your health," Lindley said. "There are a lot of things to

be thankful for, especially where we are right now on the football field, off the football field. It's exciting to give back, and to have this platform to push that message is awesome. It's a blessing."

Lindley, long snapper Mike Leach, cornerback Eddie Whitley, punter Drew Butler and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander were part of the serving crew, as were team president Michael Bidwill, Nicole Bidwill, Cardinals cheerleaders, players' wives and member of the organization. Team mascot Big Red kept the event lively, entertaining the kids during and after their meals.

Michael Bidwill has been a constant fixture at the yearly gathering. He had a wide variety of duties on Monday, serving the dinners and filling up drink cups with water and blue punch. He said the ability to help provide the meals and interact with the diners is something he looks forward to each year.

"It's nice to do it and talk with people, maybe put a smile on the faces of some of the folks in our community who are going through a tougher time," Bidwill said. "It's also a great chance to remind everyone, our fans and the whole community, that now is the time to volunteer and to get involved. There are a lot of people out there with this economy who still need a little bit of help."

There was a lot of talk among the patrons about the Cardinals' successful season, and the guests were given a Cardinals flag in addition to the meal. The players walked around and signed autographs in between their serving shifts.

"Temporarily, it kind of removes them out of the situation that they're in and gives them hope," Alexander said. "It's just  a privilege to be able to provide that for them."