Even on a rainy day, people can find some warmth coming from inside the Salvation Army on Thanksgiving.
Tony Brushett, the organization's executive director in Yellowknife, said experiencing the fall feast at the charity never gets old.
"It's a lot of work getting ready for it," said Brushett. "You're tired, even getting up this morning, it's pouring rain. But the moment folks start to come in through the door, it's like, OK, this is what this is all about. Let's help everybody just feel good for the next hour."
Up to 20 unpaid volunteers helped make the event happen, said Brushett. Together, they handed out warm Thanksgiving meals, with no shortage of pumpkin pie for dessert.
"It means a lot to me," said Brushett, talking about the voluntary support. "Typically, trying to get volunteers is very difficult, but I find for this event SA国际影视传媒� for Thanksgiving every year SA国际影视传媒� we have to turn volunteers away."
The Salvation Army planned to serve about 250 people on Monday, Brushett explained.
"A lot of the folks that come here are our single folks. They're the more vulnerable population from here," Brushett said.
A family that comes in can range in size, generally from three to seven people, he added.
Although he's only been in Yellowknife for two years, he said he recognized some familiar faces from last year's Thanksgiving.
"They are so thankful," Brushett said about the feedback he's received. "It amazes me that something as simple as a small turkey dinner can mean so much."
The Salvation Army has also partnered with Co-op to hand out hampers to folks in need, Brushett added. Those hampers were to be handed out starting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, he said.
"A lot of the folks who are eating here today will come in and get a hamper next week."
A hamper can include things like fruit, vegetables, canned goods and some proteins. The organization has about 500 hampers, and will be given away over the next few weeks as people come in to visit the food bank, he added.
The food bank at the Salvation Army is open all day on Mondays and Thursdays.
