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Salvation Army prepares Thanksgiving dinners

By Brett Dunlap 2 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Volunteers and others began the work on Tuesday to prepare for the Salvation Army's annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday.

Volunteers gathered at the Salvation Army on Fifth Street in Parkersburg to slice 46 turkeys, prepare servings of cranberries, cut vegetables, prepare mashed potatoes and stuffing, slice pies, and prepare rolls.

The Salvation Army of Parkersburg is preparing enough food for around 700 meals on Thursday, including 150-200 for people who will come to the Salvation Army to eat and another 500 meals that will be delivered to homes that day, said Major Carey Richmond, co-commander of the Parkersburg Salvation Army.

''We are serving your traditional Thanksgiving meal,'' she said.

The Thanksgiving Day meal will be served at 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army.

''It is a great opportunity to get a great meal,'' she said.

Camden Clark Medical Center cooked the turkeys Monday and volunteers sliced them Tuesday.

Richmond said they had a lot of individuals, families and a church youth group who came in Tuesday to help with the meal preparation.

''It is all volunteers from the community who have come to help,'' she said.

The Vienna Baptist Church Youth Group brought 20 youth and four adult volunteers to the Salvation Army on Tuesday.

''We came out last year and had a really great time serving,'' said Youth Pastor Bryson Morlan. "We thought we would do it again and help out those who needed help.''

Morlan said Jesus built relationships through his ministries.

''I think it is important for us as Christ's body to go out and have relationships with people in the community,'' he said. ''This organization helps people in the community. If we can help this organization that is us reaching out and helping the community as well.''

Morlan said Jesus taught that serving those in need serve him.

''We are out here helping the best we can,'' he said.

The meal is a place where people who don't have anywhere to go can come and have a good meal, organizers said.

Richmond was thankful for all of those who came out to help get the meals prepared.

''We thank the community for all of their support so we can help those who are in need,'' she said.

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