Salvation Army volunteers give back on Thanksgiving

As many southern Colorado residents enjoyed their Thanksgiving afternoons at home with family and friends, a handful of people chose to celebrate the holiday in a different way.

On Thursday afternoon, the Salvation Army hosted its Thanksgiving free meal program at several different locations in southern Colorado.

Jorge Granados, the executive chef for the Salvation Army, told The Gazette that the Salvation Army was running five different free meal programs in southern Colorado on Thursday. Granados said that the Salvation Army expected to serve over 3,000 meals consisting of all the Thanksgiving classics such as turkey, stuffing, gravy and —most importantly to Granados — pie.

Granados said that at the Colorado Springs location alone they expected to serve over 1,500 meals.

"My favorite part of the day is the chaos," Granados joked. "Trying to organize everything, trying to make sure everyone has what they need, trying to help out all the volunteers. ... It's been a blessing working here."

At the Manitou Springs free-meal location, Ashley Lohse, who has been running the program at Manitou Springs since 2007, said that the turnout was "excellent" on Thursday and that they were expecting to serve between 500 and 600 meals.

"This year, I think it's been super-busy," said Susan Bell, the kitchen manager at the Manitou Springs location.

According to Bell, the food for the 3,000 meals made by the Salvation Army came primarily via donations, and the majority of the food served was cooked at the kitchens of Fort Carson. Several Fort Carson military members were present at the Colorado Springs Salvation Army location on Thursday, speaking with volunteers and community members.

For the first time in three years, the Salvation Army ran its free meal program in Fountain, and although the turnout was lower than expected, Salvation Army Capt. Eric Wilkerson said he was still very pleased to serve 60 meals in person and deliver over 150 to members of the community.

Wilkerson said that meals in Fountain were being delivered to several older community members who struggle to leave the house, as well as to the fire department and sheriff's office.

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"Community holiday meals are really important," Wilkerson said. "I'm glad to be doing it here (Fountain) again."

While feeding those in need is a pivotal part of the reason many volunteer for the Salvation Army on Thanksgiving, many spoke about how it's equally important to provide a sense of community for people to enjoy the holiday with others, rather than alone.

"A lot of people have trauma surrounding the holidays," Peggy Schiebold, a volunteer at the Fountain location, said. "This is the high trauma point in the year for people."

"It's so important (to do the holiday meals) because it helps the community," said Lisa Washington, an eight-time volunteer at the Colorado Springs location. "A lot of people are going through hard times, don't have family to spend the day with, so being here and supporting this (program) is awesome."

Granados spoke about how, before moving to Colorado, he worked at restaurants all across Los Angeles, but that the sensation of giving back and helping other made his work at the Salvation Army better than any restaurant job he held previously.

"It's the people, it's the community," Granados said when asked what made the job so special. "Getting to serve all of these amazing people in our town, it gives you a good purpose."

Wilkerson has worked with the Salvation Army since the 1990s and said that, for him, he has no interest in spending his time any other way.

"If you want to further your own well-being, help someone else," Wilkerson said. "I've been doing this for 30 years. ... For me its a calling in life, a calling from God."

Other volunteers on Thursday spoke about not just the sense of community they try and provide for those in need, but the gratifying feeling of so many community members helping out, and choosing to spend their Thanksgiving serving the community.

"I love doing this," Bell said. "It feeds me."

"It's really touching that so many people came out (to volunteer)," Lohse said. "It really helps for a lot of people to know that they aren't alone, and that they do have a community they can turn to."