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Turkey dinners with all the trimmings–served by Salvationists, advisory board members, and friends–were enjoyed by thousands of needy individuals and families this Thanksgiving throughout the West.
In Seattle, advisory board member Kathy Holmgren, wife of Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, joined her two daughters, one son-in-law, and a generous cadre of volunteer servers at the William Booth Center’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. Nearly 500 homeless or hungry enjoyed the free meal.
Coach Holmgren donned an apron with his family as well.
Thanksgiving dinner was served at four sites in Colorado Springs’ metro area this year, reports Major Steve Owen. More than 5,330 meals were served with the assistance of over 600 volunteers. Soldiers at Ft. Carson cooked three tons of turkey for The Salvation Army and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) prepared the stuffing. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the homeless, less-fortunate, lonely and elderly to share Thanksgiving with people who care about them,” said Owen. “The gospel message came through with special music, and tracts were distributed with each meal at all of the sites.”
Captain Tina Hoover, Petaluma, Calif. corps officer, reports they distributed groceries for a Thanksgiving meal–including potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, milk, pie, onion and celery, plus a gift certificate for the turkey–to over 175 families. “We even put together grocery bags with tortillas, rice, and beans, instead of stuffing and potatoes.”
According to Captain Lisa Smith, Leeward, Hawaii corps officer, the Army on Oahu served more than 2,000 Thanks-giving dinners. Honolulu’s mayor opened the event, held at the Neal Blaisdell Center, and the Leeward Community Gos-pel choir and other groups provided entertainment. A new element was a prayer room, open for prayer during the dinner.
In Kalispell, Mont., the Army teamed up with the local food bank, providing them with 300 turkeys. “They do Thanksgiving baskets and we do Christmas,” said Corps Officer Capt. Monte Jones.