CHARLESTON, S.C. - Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton helped serve Thanksgiving dinner to more than 100 people at a homeless shelter.

"Happy Thanksgiving! Tea or punch?" the Rev. Sharpton asked people as they came through the line. Some shook his hand, some offered words of support, and some, covering their faces or heads from the TV cameras, took their drinks and sat down.

Sharpton's visit to the shelter Thursday caused some concern for shelter volunteers who organize the dinner each year. "I don't ever want our people exploited for one day," said Sandi Harris, volunteer coordinator for Crisis Ministries, who added that only a few people were permitted to accompany Sharpton in order to keep the visit low-key.

Sharpton said he volunteers every Thanksgiving but wanted to volunteer in South Carolina this year to bring attention to the problem of fewer jobs and rising homelessness in the South.

"Every candidate ought to spend their holidays showing Thanksgiving is not going to be the same for all Americans," Sharpton said. "This is the time for politicians to show in action what needs to be done. If there are those who will give us flak for it, so be it."

Sharpton said his willingness to speak out on issues such as the Confederate flag has helped him gain grass-roots support in this state. "I've been here when the people needed me. I think that's why I'm doing well in the polls," he said.

A South Carolina Democratic presidential primary poll this week showed Sharpton trailing only North Carolina Sen. John Edwards among likely voters in the Feb. 3 primary. Sharpton had 12 percent behind Edward's 17 percent in the telephone poll of 400 people conducted by the Feldman Group Inc. Forty-nine percent of poll respondents were black, and Sharpton led in that group, Feldman said.

James Brookins, a shelter resident, told Sharpton he wants him to win the election. "This way, you will be the people's president," Brookins said, who said the issue of homelessness needs more political help.

"I believe his heart and his politics are good," Brookins said. "Will it get anything done? I don't know, but we do need something to be done."

Volunteer David Fields said he's for President Bush. Fields said he and other volunteers had been working all morning to get the meal ready for the guests. Sharpton just showed up to hand out drinks for an hour, he said.

Information from: The Post And Courier