Salvation Army Thanksgiving Day dinner will occur, thanks to community support

Watertown Salvation Army Capt. Evelyn M. Hopping is giving thanks to the greater Watertown community this Thanksgiving for donating money and food to help prepare the annual traditional Thanksgiving Day meal.

Capt. Hopping found out Monday that the previous event sponsor was not able to support the dinner this year, leaving the Salvation Army to scramble to find funds and food donations to help feed about 500 people Nov. 24.

After an article appeared in Tuesday’s Times about the need for support, Capt. Hopping said, there was an immediate response.

“Northern Federal Credit Union was the first to call me,” she said. “Nellie Mathous said the bank was donating $1,000 and were reaching out to other partners to make sure there was a Thanksgiving dinner.”

Ms. Mathous said Wednesday the credit union and its business partners Kevin Fear, Big Apple Music, Renzi Foodservice, Davidson Automotive Group and Aamco Transmission collectively came up with $2,500.

This week, community members also donated boxes of stuffing and more than 200 pounds of potatoes, among other items.

Ms. Mathous said 47 of Northern Federal’s 86 employees donated their turkeys, given to them by the company, to the Salvation Army,

“Everyone came out in full force,” she said. “It’s our way of paying it forward. It’s one of our core values, putting that back into the community.”

Although Capt. Hopping estimated the entire meal for about 500 people on Thanksgiving Day would cost between $2,000 and $3,000, if the $2,500 and food donated by community members doesn’t cover the cost, Renzi Foodservice will pick up the rest of the tab.

Kristina L. Rusho, Renzi Bros. Inc. marketing manager, said Jude Renzi, Renzi Foodservice’s vice president of sales and marketing, wanted to make sure everyone has access to a Thanksgiving Day meal.

“This community — this stuff just happens here,” Capt. Hopping said. “They see a need and make sure it’s taken care of.”

She said she will place an order with Renzi Foodservice today, and expects to receive the food Tuesday. Volunteers will spend nearly all day Wednesday preparing for the meal, doing tasks such as peeling potatoes, preparing fruit and vegetables trays and cooking some of the turkeys.

The Salvation Army will host its annual traditional turkey dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the agency, 723 State St. Anyone is welcome to the free meal, and takeouts and deliveries for the homebound are available. To schedule a delivery, call the Salvation Army at 782-4470.