Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to join together, feast, and enjoy each other’s company. For some, that is not possible. The Michigan City Salvation Army sees it differently.
This is the third year Lieutenants Bill and Taylor Brutto have hosted a Thanksgiving Day Dinner at the Salvation Army and each year, the crowds grow, and so do the volunteers and donators for the occasion. Lieutenant Taylor Brutto explains how important the one hundred and fifty volunteers are in helping those in need. “The volunteers come in and take meals to those that are handicapped, shut in, and those that can’t leave their homes.” And that happens before the meals served to those who come to the Salvation Army location for a Thanksgiving dinner. “It’s a huge testament to the community that no matter who we are, where we come from, we can come together and have real unity.”
The Lieutenants estimate the number of people they serve on this day through delivery and those who come to eat at the Salvation Army is thirteen hundred people. Lieutenant Bill Brutto is extremely grateful for those who help on this day. “It’s a blessing that we are able to provide for that many people. The community continues to come and support us and come together.” Many different individuals and companies contribute supplies, food, and service for this day. The Lieutenants estimate the amount of contributions to be over three thousand dollars for the food alone and overall expenses for just this one day with manpower and other supplies would cost between thirty and forty thousand dollars.
“We want to be a blessing to other people, and the volunteers want to be a part of that blessing” Taylor added. Bill continued that thought. “There are so many people that don’t get love. And we want to show people love and we want people to know that they matter and that they’re cared for, and that’s how the Salvation Army knows how to do it.”
Diane Swain, a social worker for the Salvation Army has been serving Thanksgiving dinner to the community for 16 years. “I love giving back to the community. I want to make sure everyone has a hot meal and enjoys Thanksgiving.”
The Salvation Army is also conducting a Christmas drive with a goal to reach $250,000 to help over 800 families in Michigan City alone. Bill is appreciative of those who donate and volunteer to help those in need in the community. “Every quarter they give, every dollar they give, it’s making a change in someone’s life. This community has changed a lot in just the last couple of years, and we want to be a part of that change. With each donation, whether it’s monetary, with food, or physical, or if it’s just of time, it’s changing lives.”