The Salvation Army serves Thanksgiving Dinner
No one should be lonely or hungry on Thanksgiving
SAN DIEGO, CA (Nov 23, 2017) When the doors opened at 11:30 am on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 1400 guests who patiently waited outside the Golden Hall City Concourse were escorted to linen draped tables by 300 volunteers. The guests included seniors with no other place to go, struggling working families, single parents, the homeless and those who were simply alone on a day of fellowship.
“We welcome everyone and it is our great pleasure to provide them with a warm Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls and even pumpkin pie,” said Major George Baker, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army.
It all started 34 years ago, when The Salvation Army received a call from Joan Kroc who wanted to provide a large community dinner so no one would be alone on Thanksgiving. She gave the Army a $12,000 check, Golden Hall was rented and what has become one of the largest congregate meals in San Diego on Thanksgiving Day began. After that first Thanksgiving, Mrs. Kroc offered to fund a Christmas meal, which the Army has done for 34 years. Many times over the years, Joan Kroc herself served at the dinner. The well-known philanthropist has only one stipulation: she wanted to remain anonymous until her passing.
This year, The Army served 1400 guests a traditional turkey dinner:
300 pounds of turkey 1500 dinner rolls
300 pounds of dressing 15 pounds of butter
500 pounds of Corn Nibblets 150 pumpkin pies
320 pounds of mashed potatoes 60 gallons of coffee
37 gallons of gravy 1,500 half-pints of milk
90 gallons of lemonade 140 pounds of cranberry sauce
Guests began arriving as early as 9 a.m. and waited on the concourse, where they were entertained by The Salvation Army brass band and greeted by Salvation Army officers, soldiers, Council President Myrtle Cole, Councilmember Chris Cate, Mayor Kevin Faulconer, volunteers and even Chopper the Biker Dog. This year, in light of the Hepatitis A concerns, The Salvation Army worked with San Diego County to provide free vaccinations for guests and volunteers right in front of the venue. It was truly a day of community and gratitude.
