A Feast of Fellowship: Thanksgiving with The Salvation Army
Thanksgiving holds a special place in the heart of American tradition, epitomizing a time of gratitude, community, and kindness. It’s a season where the warmth of shared meals and the joy of togetherness transcend differences, bringing people closer in a spirit of thankfulness.
Thanksgiving is more than just a meal; it’s an opportunity for connection, gratitude, and togetherness.
On Thanksgiving this year, The Salvation Army provided meals, company and fellowship throughout our community – creating spaces for people to connect and enjoy this special holiday.
Thanksgiving meals were served at corps throughout Eastern Missouri and Eastern Illinois, and at The Salvation Army’s services including Veterans Residence, Family Haven and the Midtown Service and Treatment Center. Over 1000 Thanksgiving meals were served in total, each one prepared by The Salvation Army and made with love and community spirit.
At the Springfield Corps, a special Thanksgiving lunch was provided for members of the local community who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving.
Major Cyndi Shiels, a key event organizer, expressed her enthusiasm and dedication to the cause. “It’s a privilege to provide this food for the community. We are honored to bring everyone together like this,” she said, reflecting the spirit of community and care that The Salvation Army embodies.
At The Salvation Army in Columbia, another heartwarming Thanksgiving event was organized at the Harbor House Shelter. The shelter, known for its supportive services and community outreach, hosted a community meal with turkey and all the trimmings.
Captain Amy Cedervall, who plays a pivotal role at the Harbor House Shelter, shared her thoughts on the special occasion. “Our Harbor House shelter has a prepared meal open to all the community on Thursday at noon. Thanksgiving is such a precious time, and we love to let our community know that we are here for them,” she stated, highlighting the shelter’s commitment to bringing people together during this time of gratitude and fellowship.
Captain Cedervall also emphasized the crucial role of volunteers in making this event successful. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our volunteers. They make everything possible,” she acknowledged.
At Veterans Residence a meal was provided and served to veterans by representatives of US Bank and Chase Bank. Veterans Residence on Locust Street in St. Louis. Veterans Residence provides a safe haven for veterans, helping them to get their lives on track. The Thanksgiving meal was popular with all the residents.
The Salvation Army organized various ways to distribute the meals to reach as many people as possible. Euclid Corps in St. Louis City provided “grab and go” take-out Thanksgiving meals for those unable to join the community dinner in person at the corps. The “grab and go” packages included individual meals with all the Thanksgiving essentials – turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a slice of pie. These take-out meals allowed residents to pick up a meal and enjoy it in their homes.
Lt. Breanna James of Euclid corps shared: “We wanted to make it as convenient as possible for community members to enjoy Thanksgiving. This initiative meant that people could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at home or with friends and family.”
Central to The Salvation Army’s food preparations was Chef Kelly Ross who prepared hundreds of meals to be distributed throughout The Salvation Army’s local community of corps and services.
Amid his bustling kitchen, Chef Ross shared details of the logistics involved and shared why he loves to prepare Thanksgiving meals for the community.
Chef Ross: It’s a privilege to serve the community with these Thanksgiving meals. The menu is traditional, hearty, and importantly – it’s healthy! The menu this year included succulent turkeys, sweet yams, creamy macaroni and cheese, and perfectly seasoned potatoes. Thanksgiving means people having a safe, warm, happy place to be. It’s the greatest feeling for me personally knowing that we provide hospitality, kindness and warmth to our community. Everyone deserves to know the magic of Thanksgiving!
The spirit of kindness and giving continued as due to a public donation of $1000, The Salvation Army was able to purchase turkeys for community meals at corps throughout the St. Louis area. The kindness and community spirit continued with partnerships with organizations, including St. Louis Area Foodbank, which provided a pallet of Holiday Chickens and essential sides.
Thanksgiving is more than just a gathering for food; It’s an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together, share stories, and enjoy the warmth of community spirit. Through initiatives like this, the Salvation Army continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to serving and uplifting communities, especially during significant times like Thanksgiving.
