Salvation Army ensures 5000 meals reach Phoenix families and those in need this Thanksgiving
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: This Thanksgiving, the Salvation Army made sure that no Phoenix family was left without a meal. In an impressive display of community service, the organization successfully distributed 5000 meals to families and those in need.
This year has been challenging for some members of the community, as David Cruz, a local resident, shared with AZ Family. "It's a struggle," Cruz admitted. "We have to fight hard out there."
For the past four years, Cruz has not only celebrated Thanksgiving at the Phoenix Convention Center but also his birthday. "I get my pumpkin pie, it's my birthday cake too!" he exclaimed with joy.
However, Cruz and many others confessed that providing a warm meal for their families is often an uphill battle, let alone preparing a Thanksgiving feast. "I can't cook a Thanksgiving dinner," he said, laughing at the thought.
Salvation Army ensures 5000 meals reach Phoenix families
For some, the dinner is more about seeking companionship and friendly interactions. John Palmer, a Phoenix resident, is one such individual.
Being the only member of his family living in Arizona, with the rest residing in California and Michigan, he finds himself drawn to the communal atmosphere of the event. "I just said, 'what's going on?' I came down here for a meal and a little social gathering," he shared.
The Salvation Army, through the efforts of their volunteers, is able to provide 5,000 Thanksgiving meals for the community, creating a warm and welcoming environment for socializing.
Major David Yardley of the Salvation Army shared, “We have over 900 volunteers from start to finish to make this thing happen today."
"You just don't show up on Thanksgiving. Our volunteer team who work with this starts in June/July. Then it becomes rock and roll by the time you get to October," he added.
Volunteers share rewarding experience
The meal isn't solely for those facing hardships. The volunteers, who are committed to giving, also gain something invaluable from the experience.
Kaerrie Wright, who first volunteered during Christmas 2016, expressed, "It feels so good to do something for someone else. And when you walk away, you don’t forget this experience."
This year, she and her friend Lynn Arias reportedly made the decision to volunteer together. "It's really heartwarming to be able to be a part of this," Arias stated.
Having a warm meal on the table serves as a gentle reminder to cherish the simple pleasures in life. "I'm thankful for being alive and for my family, and good friends," noted Edward Cable, who sat with his family.
Cruz shared that the dedication of the volunteers and the enriching experience are what draw him back each year. "All the excitement, all the smiles, it just makes my day," he expressed.
A community leader from Homer City, whose Facebook profile name is Lehman for Commissioner, lauded the Salvation Army in a social media post, "Today I kept up the tradition of volunteering with Phoenix for the Salvation Army Thanksgiving preparation. We started volunteering many years ago."
He added, "The Salvation Army does an amazing job of helping helping people all year around, and especially on Thanksgiving."