Thousands are expected for Thanksgiving Dinner at Salvation Army locations around Minnesota today. In Fergus Falls, Captain Linda McCormick says they encourage volunteers to sit down and chat with the people they’re serving. McCormick says, “We figure that’s pretty much more important than the actual meal, because some of these people live alone and this may be the only time that they actually come out where there’s a bunch of people.” McCormick says they have about 40 volunteers who serve meals and do shut-in deliveries. She expects about 200 for Thanksgiving dinner today.
Meanwhile, Thanksgiving meal traffic is brisk at the Harbor Light on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, usually the busiest of any Salvation Army location. Captain Katherine Clausell says about those they’re serving today: “This might not be the place of their choice where they want to be, ’cause of course we all want to have a permanent home, but while they’re here, just giving them reason to be grateful and to know that they’ve had a roof over their head and a bed to sleep in and a good, nutritious hot meal.” She adds, “We just feel privileged to be there to come alongside the folks who are living with less right now. And we’re saying, you really do have more because God is with you and he’s called a lot of people to come and stand with you.” Clausell expects over 600 Thanksgiving dinners will be served today at the Harbor Light, to residents and walk-ins alike.