COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Across El Paso County Thursday, hundreds of Salvation Army volunteers gave up their own Thanksgiving celebrations to make sure no one in the community spent the holiday alone. The annual meal brought together families, veterans and neighbors who may not have had a place to gather otherwise.
Salvation Army Corps Officer Stephen Ball said the turnout shows the strength of the community.
“It is a true expression of love from the community. As you can see around, there is just hundreds of volunteers here, that are going to be expressing our love for those that are just without a friend to sit with and enjoy a meal,” Ball said.
Many volunteers still had family gatherings waiting for them later in the day, but chose to serve first. Ball said the spirit mirrors the commitment of people who work through the holidays.
“Shelter workers, hospitals, fire, police, they actually plan their family celebrations after they do the work of taking care of others,” he said.
For some guests, today’s meal may be the only one they receive. Ball said the mission is about more than the food on the table.
“We want everyone, even those that are struggling and on the margins in some ways, to just know they are part of this family,” he said.
Ball said he hopes the people who attended walk away with something deeper.
“The idea that others care, and that people are giving and willing to give, to share, to feel like you are special,” Ball said.
Members of the military community also stepped in to serve. Fort Carson’s Command Sergeant Major Travis Manuel helped distribute meals throughout the day.
“Thanksgiving is about coming together as a community, giving back. It is an honor. Nothing more I would rather be excited about than just giving back to the community that gives so much to the soldiers at large,” Manuel said.
Manuel said the most meaningful part came from serving meals directly to those who needed them.
“Being behind that serving line, being able to put meals in people’s hands, see their face, being able to connect with them one-on-one and talk to them and just let them know they matter, this community matters. It is just a great feeling, a great experience,” he said.
With tens of thousands of veterans living across the Front Range, Manuel said today’s event held added importance.
“Even though they are out of the service, they are always part of the service and that, to us, is, you know, we are a family. We are a brotherhood. We depend on them. They depend on us. And when we come together like this and just being able to share the experiences together, to talk, to reconnect. I mean, that is really what Thanksgiving is about,” he said.
From Colorado Springs to Woodland Park, organizers said Thursday’s gatherings provided not just meals but connection, comfort and a sense of belonging for people across the region.
Copyright 2025 KKTV. All rights reserved.