Giving assistance
Volunteers aid The Salvation Army in serving meals to community
A total of 32 volunteers from across the community partnered with The Salvation Army to provide traditional Thanksgiving meals for those in need on Wednesday, Joan Kenady, office manager for The Salvation Army, said Wednesday.
The fellowship hall, located at 115 Crescent Ave., was open to the public from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, but volunteers were hard at work carving turkey and cutting pumpkin pie long before the official event began.
“I’m looking forward to providing people with a meal that meets their immediate needs, but what I really enjoy is creating this opportunity for fellowship that some people may not otherwise have,” Salvation Army Lieutenant Bradley Hargis said.
In addition to a traditional meal offered Wednesday, they offered free sweaters to anyone in need, and had a craft section set up for the children that attended the event. A second meal, with just sandwiches, will be served from 5-6 p.m. Friday at the fellowship hall.
“Rather than compete with the numerous churches and non profit
organizations serving meals on Thanksgiving day, we decided to provide meals the day before and the day after Thanksgiving to better support those in need of meals during the holidays,” Kenady said.
The Salvation Army purchased approximately $1,500 worth of food and supplies in preparation for the dinner. Smokin’ in Style volunteered to smoke the 25 turkeys and Harps Grocery donated “blessing bags” which will be distributed through The Salvation Army’s food pantry.
The Soul Stars motorcycle touring club offered their services this year and helped carve up the 25 turkeys bought in preparation of the meal, which was expected to feed approximately 250 people.
“We are about more than riding our motorcycles. We really wanted to do something to support the city of Hot Springs,” club President Roosevelt ‘CHI Town’ Hadley said.
“Thanksgiving is just the beginning of our work in the community,” he said.
The Salvation Army received several donations of Thanksgiving food items, but it was not quite enough to sustain the amount of meals given out, Kenady said. All donated food will be used to supplement the meals provided on a daily basis year round.
Other annual meals include the one offered by Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, 841 Quapaw Ave. It will begin serving food at 11 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
“A Thanksgiving to Share” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at Visitor’s Chapel AME Church, 319 Church St. Volunteers will offer a shuttle service for community members who wish to fellowship and a delivery service for those who prefer to stay at home.
They also offer a section for winter clothing items and nonperishable foods that visitors may take with them after the meal. Faith and community outreach, as well as vocational support, are also available to those interested.
First Presbyterian Church,
213 Whittington Ave, will serve meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offer complementary transportation for those unable to attend otherwise. Transportation can be arranged by calling 624-5646.
Samaritan Ministries Rescue Mission, 131 Sanford, will serve their meals from noon to 1 p.m. Friday.
VFW Post 2278, the Auxiliary and Disabled American Veterans will host their Thanksgiving event from 1 to 3 p.m. at the post, located at 2231 E. Grand Ave. The public is welcome, and those able to bring a side dish or dessert are asked to do so. Call
623-5190 for more information. Gospel Light Church, 600 Garland, plans to serve meals between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday. Delivery is available by calling 624-5288 before 10:30 a.m., and walk-ins are welcome beginning at 10 a.m.
This year Gospel Light has teamed up with two other churches in the area, Christian Ministries, 548 Brookhill Ranch Road, and First Church of the Nazarene, 3804 Central Ave. Church representatives say they hope that the partnership will allow them to serve a larger portion of the community.