EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Salvation Army handed out close to 1,000 Thanksgiving meals in South Central El Paso.
As part of its traditional Operation Thanksgiving, The Salvation Army in El Paso said it distributed over 800 Thanksgiving meals Thursday morning a the Red Shield Family Center located at 4300 E. Paisano Dr.
Joanna Estrada, the director of development for the Salvation Army in El Paso, explained that the drive-thru event began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but then it stuck because the organization realized they could hand out more meals this way.
Joanna Estrada, the director of development for the Salvation Army in El Paso. Nov. 27, 2025. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“We realized we were able to do more than four times the amount of meals that we were doing previously,” Estrada said.
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Estrada said the meals featured smoked turkey courtesy of Rollin’ Smoke BBQ from Anthony, TX, with traditional Thanksgiving sides.
Volunteers from Oro Temple No. 9 Shriners, Zaragoza Rotary Club, Rollin’ Smoke, Girl Scouts Troop 61229 and the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board helped put together the meals and distribute them
Volunteer Anthony Floyd, a noble Shriner from Oro Temple No. 9, emphasized the importance of giving back.
Volunteered Anthony Floyd, a noble Shriner from Oro Temple No. 9. Nov. 27, 2025. Credit: KFOX14/CBS4
“We just give back to the community, show people that we care, and we out here to show love and support,” Floyd said.
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