Wayne Allen| Daily Times

A community Thanksgiving meal was served at the Portsmouth Salvation Army on Thursday. Pictured are some of the people that took part.

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Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

An estimated ten Portsmouth area churches came together on Thursday to serve a Thanksgiving meal to those in need. The meal was served at the Salvation Army and coordinated by volunteers.

In years past area churches would host their own Thanksgiving day meals for the community.

“It is a little bit of a change, bringing it over the the Salvation Army and it looks as if things are going well so far,” said Mark Ferreira with the Portsmouth Salvation Army.

Ferreira anticipates between 300-400 meals will be served throughout the course of the event.

He said in the first 20 minutes of the event over 100 meals had been served.

“The reality is that Thanksgiving is such a family holiday. It’s about togetherness and coming together in community. For people who do not have others to gather with or don’t have the means to prepare their own Thanksgiving meal this is the best thing,” Ferreira said. “Here people are able to get together with friends and family around the table. We think this is a blessing.”

He said at the Portsmouth Salvation Army they are serving five meals a week.

“People are used to coming here and we thought it was a natural fit to host this event,” Ferreira said.

As far as keeping the community Thanksgiving meal at the Salvation Army, Ferreira said,”I think it will at least for a little while. The community Thanksgiving dinner is something that has changed locations a few times in its history. We are proud to be apart of the here at the Salvation Army.”

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.