Salvation Army gives away hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to local seniors

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - Volunteers with the Greater Hartford Salvation Army delivered meals to homebound seniors Thursday morning.

This year’s distribution was record setting.

It’s a giving tradition that’s growing, or perhaps outgrowing where it started.

The Greater Hartford Salvation Army moved the pickup location for the 2022 Thanksgiving meal delivery from their downtown building to the North End Senior Center.

They did it because there were too many volunteers lining up to help homebound seniors get a hot meal.

“The times right now that we’re in, there’s a lot more people in need,” said Andrew Porter, volunteer.

“I’ve always wanted to do something on Thanksgiving to help people,” said Samantha Whelan, first time volunteer.

It’s a good problem to have when you have a growing need.

This year, before the sun even came up, the Salvation Army was preparing to deliver 950 meals.

“That is in fact a record this year,” said Migdalia Lavenbein, Coordinator for the Greater Hartford Salvation Army. “We’re looking at our seniors our most vulnerable population who of course are on a fixed income.”

With food prices as inflated as a Thanksgiving parade balloon, it’s something the Salvation Army coordinator says they couldn’t escape either.

“Last year things were a little bit cheaper than they are this year, so this year we ordered early,” said Migdalia.

“Turkey is really really expensive this year,” said Sonia Laureano, who received a meal. “There’s a lot of people who are out of work, a lot of people this has affected and this helps us to have a turkey.”

A community that sees more and more people struggling to stay afloat and views it as a privilege to lend a hand.

“I’m able to help some people in any way that I can and I’m lucky to do that,” said Samantha.

The Salvation Army is offering free grab-and-go meals for people to pick up between 11:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M.

No registration is needed and the meals are located at 661 Main Street, Manchester, CT.

This is only the start to Salvation’s Army’s season of giving: a toy drive is also running at this time, and the Salvation Army is offering rental assistance for residents who request it.

The iconic red kettle donations will also begin soon outside local businesses.

For more information on how you can help the Salvation Army, click here.

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