By Julia Train
The Salvation Army Atlantic City Corps is getting ready to host its annual Thanksgiving dinner, offering a warm, sit-down meal to hundreds of local residents in need. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army’s gymnasium, located at 22 South Texas Ave.
Kimmie D’Angelo, a member of the Salvation Army Atlantic City Corps’ advisory board, said the corps, which is celebrating its 131st anniversary, always anticipates 300 people.
The Thanksgiving dinner is made possible through donations from both local businesses and private individuals. D’Angelo noted that a majority of the food items come from local casinos, while private donations from individuals also help cover essential supplies like plates, napkins, coffee, sugar and trash bags.
Additionally, Atlantic Cape Community College culinary students and local chefs prepare dishes and volunteer to serve them each year.
“It’s a true community effort,” D’Angelo said. “We’re so thankful for all the support we receive.”
In addition to the Thanksgiving dinner, the Salvation Army Atlantic City Corps plays a vital role in the community year-round, offering a wide range of services. These include church services, after-school programs for children, drug rehabilitation programs and the annual Angel Tree program, which helps provide gifts for families in need during the holiday season.
D’Angelo said they helped 400 families last year.
The Salvation Army also operates a pantry that is open Monday through Friday, providing food and essential items to those struggling to make ends meet. Additionally, the iconic red kettles, which are set up throughout Atlantic County during the holiday season, is the organization’s largest fundraiser each year, raising crucial funds that stay within the local community.
Every penny raised in the red kettles stays in Atlantic City, D’Angelo said.
Starting on Nov. 18, Salvation Army volunteers or employees stand outside of different locations with red buckets, or kettles, ringing a bell and collecting donations. They’re outside of 25 different stores throughout Atlantic County, like Walmart, Hobby Lobby and Sam’s Club, six days a week until Dec. 24.
“They collect money for the Salvation Army to help [run] the programs, not just at Christmas time, but throughout the whole year,” said Lt. Lesley Colón. “So it helps the programs that we serve [and] the community.”
Colón is a lieutenant, or leader, at Salvation Army Atlantic City Corps alongside her husband, Luie; They oversee the kettles.
Those standing with the kettles now accept mobile payments, a move D’Angelo said will allow passersby who aren’t carrying cash to donate when they want to.
Additionally, the Salvation Army is partnering with Walmart for the Red Kettles with a roundup, which allows customers to roundup their change to the nearest dollar when at check out both online and in store.
Donations help provide toys, clothing, food and essential resources to families in the community throughout the year.
To donate locally online, visit salvationarmyusa.org and click “Donate Locally” at the top of the page.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
