Volunteers with the Salvation Army Alaska Division’s Older Alaskans Program prepared around 500 Thanksgiving meals for seniors.

“It's just the two of us and I can't cook a big Thanksgiving dinner anymore, I'm not strong enough so we wouldn't have had a Thanksgiving,” Trudy Brown said after receiving two meals for her family. Brown has lived in Anchorage for decades.

The Salvation Army and volunteers prepared 50 turkeys, yams, vegetables and dressing to be paired with rolls and pumpkin pie.

Many volunteers who are helping package and deliver the food, say it’s part of their own family tradition for the holiday.

Kathy Robinson was packaging slices of pie next to her grandson. “He needs to know others aren't as well off and things so he needs to go out and help others,” Robinson said.

Major John Brackenbury, Divisional Commander for the Salvation Army Alaska Division, said that while the Thanksgiving meal features a special menu, the program operates year-round.

“The people that we serve are just so grateful for that human contact,” he said.

If you know someone in need of assistance with the Older Alaskans Program meals on wheels program, call 907-349-0613.