Season for sharing: Salvation Army to serve free Thanksgiving meal to 1,000-plus in need

Haidee Eugenio Gilbert | Pacific Daily News

Many families will have full Thanksgiving Day spreads but others may not be as fortunate, so The Salvation Army Guam Corps will host a free Thanksgiving luncheon to more than 1,000 people in need.

This will be Salvation Army's 23rd year of providing free Thanksgiving meals to Guam's homeless and indigent population, so they could also have traditional holiday servings of turkey, ham, stuffing, desserts and beverage.

This year's Thanksgiving luncheon will be held at the Chamoro Village by the Paseo de Susana Stadium in Hagåtña on Thursday.

While the area is expected to start getting busy early that morning because of food preparations, lunch will be served around 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Plenty of turkeys ready to be served

Lou Hongyee, program coordinator for Salvation Army, on Monday said they are still accepting donations of mashed potatoes, hams, stuffing and any other side dish for Thursday's luncheon.

Those who wish to donate food may contact Hongyee at 477-9801.

She said Salvation Army already has some 50 turkeys and rice that are ready to be served.

"We'd like everyone to know that they have a place to have a Thanksgiving meal, if they don't have the means to have a traditional meal for the holiday," Hongyee said.

'It's important to give back':Salvation Army serves up Thanksgiving lunch

There's no free transportation to and from the luncheon, so those who want to partake in the feast are encouraged to make their own arrangements to be there.

"We already have enough volunteers this year but we can't turn away additional ones if they show up," Hongyee said.

Reporter Haidee Eugenio Gilbert covers Guam's Catholic church issues, government, business and more. Follow her on Twitter @haidee_eugenio.