Salvation Army Strives To Create One Big Family

(ABC 6 News) -- For many, Thanksgiving is a day to spend with family. But for others, 'family' can extend well beyond those with the same last name.

At the Salvation Army in Austin, the kitchen was busy all week with volunteers preparing for their annual holiday meal.

'We started on Tuesday, got the turkeys going through and all that kind of stuff,' said James Duckett, the Salvation Army's cook. 'It's been 8 o'clock until 8 o'clock or more, just making sure everything is getting ready and prepared and done.'

This year, volunteers served up pounds of potatoes, gallons of gravy, and 20 turkeys, preparing for about 200 hungry diners.

'Last year, I believe they prepared for 150,' Duckett said. 'So with our numbers being higher for the community meal, we upped it some more, just in case.'

Unfortunately, Salvation Army leaders said the need for assistance has been increasing in Mower County, particularly as the we enter the holiday season.

'We are seeing an increase in need for food,' said Salvation Army Lt. Dave Amick. 'We're noticing that with the weather getting colder and the heating bills starting to go up and everything, that people are having to make a decision.'

Shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday, the dining room was already starting to fill up with people hungry for a hot holiday meal.

'It's just awesome to know that there's still people out there that care,' said diner Janice Trigilio.

But far beyond the food, officials said the meal is really all about creating a sense of family.

'They may be eating by themselves somewhere, or they may not have the money for a nice family get-together like this,' Lt. Amick said. 'We're hoping that we can provide the food so that they can be able to fellowship together and have a nice, happy meal together as a family.'

'I think it's something that people can be able to enjoy and I can relate to that other person without even knowing them,' Duckett said. 'We're here and everything's going to be okay.'

'It's great,' Trigilio said. 'This is what Thanksgiving is all about.'