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Salvation Army Feeds the Masses

By Chad Petri

Several hundred people are enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving meal today thanks to some hard work at Mobile's Salvation Army. Many of the people helping out today were once helped themselves. Salvation Army Feeds the Masses

Published: Thu, November 22, 2007 - 11:42 am Last Updated: Thu, November 22, 2007 - 12:06 pm

Prep-work for the big Thanksgiving Meal at the Salvation Army starts before the break of dawn. Even though he began is day at three in the morning, Assistant Kitchen Manager Oscar Smith says he's not going to let a little fatigue slow him down.

"I feel good you know. The Salvation Army helped me out so I'm just giving back." Smith went through their drug rehabilitation program several years ago. Today he's busy putting volunteers and kitchen workers to the task to help feed a few hundred people today.

"I love seeing people sit down to a good meal. They're smiling because of something I did," says Oscar. Volunteers help prepare about 80 roast turkeys, 300 pounds of yams and tons of other foods. Organizers say meeting the needs of the needy gets harder every year.

"We're confident we'll get the donations we need," says Major David Waite. "The economy seems to be slowing, and it costs more to provide a kitchen staff and food every year." Volunteers are the key to getting this big meal serve. Kelvin Pettaway gives his time every year. After being helped by "the Sally" when he was down on his luck, Kelvin says volunteering is only fair.

"This time I give is nothing," says Kelvin. "Compared to what the Sally did for me, it doesn't even come close to what they did for me."