WACO, TX — 2020 has been a crazy year, to say the least. Even Thanksgiving looks a little different this year for a lot of folks. But one thing that hasn’t changed? The true meaning of the holiday.
“Happy Thanksgiving... that part is not different from any other year before. With all the strange things that have gone on with the COVID-19 protocols, the one thing that remains constant is that people want to join together. That want to enjoy a holiday meal together," said Major Jim Taylor, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army- McLennan County.
Even despite the pandemic, the Salvation Army was still able to do just that. The meal was moved outside to provide more space to socially distance tables and limit guests to three to a table. In addition, each volunteer was required to wear masks and gloves while delivering food to each table. A take-out option was also available.
“The Salvation Army hasn’t been able to provide seated meals since March. So, for many of these individuals, they have been doing takeaway meals for the last nine months and here for the first time in a long long time, they are able to sit down at a table with friends and socialize over a meal and not have to carry their food in a bag and sit on a curb somewhere and eat,” said Major Taylor.
The Battles have been volunteering with the Salvation Army for two years now. Even during the pandemic, Brandon and his wife, Jazz, wanted to spend the holiday saying thanks to the Waco community.
“I spent a lot of my life in prison and a lot of volunteers came out to the prison and helped us out, so I just wanted to give back to the community as my ‘thank you’ because I know how it felt when they came into the prisons and helped me,” said Brandon Battle, a Salvation Army Volunteer.
While 2020 comes to an end, no matter what year it is, there is always something to be thankful for.
“It’s amazing, you know. A lot of people here don’t really have anything, but they come here and still be thankful and happy. Maybe they will one day go and pay it forward,” said Brandon Battle.
“Thank you for helping the Salvation Army make Thanksgiving such a blessed day for so many,” said Major Taylor.
Major Jim Taylor told 25 News that they planned to serve 300 meals today including those dining in and those taking out.
