Salvation Army Welcomes Everyone to The Table this Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, The Salvation is bringing warm holiday meals and community to individuals and families across the province. The festive meals bring people together so that everyone has somewhere to go and enjoy the company of others this weekend.
The Salvation Army has seen a dramatic increase in the need of support with meals and groceries due to the high cost of food and housing, and we are so grateful to the community’s support in helping to make these holiday meals possible.
Players with the Toronto Argonauts continue the team tradition of serving a community Thanksgiving dinner at The Salvation Army Toronto Harbour Light Ministries.
On October 7, players with the Canadian Football League team, along with 20 volunteers, will dish up a traditional Thanksgiving meal of mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce to 300 people. The team also purchased the needed turkeys for the feast.
Thank you to Toronto Argonaut players and the organization for the commitment to Toronto Harbour Light.
The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre men’s shelter is expecting about 300 guests to their community Thanksgiving Meal on Sunday October 8th, between 3 and 5pm. The meal will consist, of turkey, potatoes stuffing, steamed vegetables and dessert.
A very generous donation from an anonymous donor in memory of her mother Nirmalamba will help fill plates and bring smiles to our struggling neighbours in need this Thanksgiving.
“Our mother was very keen on the idea of supporting the community by offering meals and she loved organizations like The Salvation Army that support individuals and families that don’t have anywhere to go during the holidays. Family and sharing food and being thankful was so important to her, so this is why the donation is made in her memory,” said the donor and family relative.
“We are so thankful for this generous donation, which will help us continue to provide our holiday meal and a welcoming place for everyone to gather,” said Marc Provost, Executive Director of The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre.
This Sunday, The Salvation Army in Thunder Bay will host a sit-down community Thanksgiving dinner prepared and served by the Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association.
From noon to 2 p.m. on October 8th, anyone in need in Thunder Bay can stop by The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre for a turkey dinner with all the fixings.
For 26 years, it has been a tradition for the Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association and their family members to make this a special day in the community for those attending.
“In these difficult times, we are grateful that we can brighten lives by providing a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner to those who are experiencing financial challenges or who are alone at this special time. We thank the Thunder Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association and their families who take time out of their own festivities to make this dinner possible,” said Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of The Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre.
In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, SPM Financial in London recently donated 250 turkeys to The Salvation Army London Community and Family Services, the largest donation by the company to date.
The turkeys were shared with the London Centre of Hope for the residents’ Thanksgiving dinner, Westminster Park Community Church for their community meals and London Citadel for their Emergency Outreach meals.
Some of the turkeys also went to the new London CFS Let’s Talk Turkey program, where participants learn how to make gravy, soup stock and a meal out of turkey leftovers. They also receive a turkey to take home for a Thanksgiving meal.
The rest of the turkeys are being given out to families through Salvation Army food banks for Thanksgiving and then in November for Christmas dinner.
“We estimate this will make about 2,000 meals with this generous donation and an opportunity for 10 more people to learn how to stretch their food dollar with leftovers,” says London Community and Family Services Community Outreach Manager Sheryl Rooth. “We are incredibly thankful for their kindness every year!”
To support our Thanksgiving Campaign or other life changing programming please visit SalvationArmy.ca or 1-800-SAL-ARMY.