Another year, another successful Thanksgiving meal

SEASIDE – The Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Corps hosted its annual Thanksgiving meal Wednesday afternoon, inviting hundreds of clients to the organization’s chapel in Seaside for a warm meal.

Volunteers worked alongside Salvation Army staff to pull together a classic Thanksgiving meal consisting of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, corn and more. This year’s meal was only open to clients, many of which are regulars at the Sabu Shake Sr. Good Samaritan Center in Sand City, which offers showers, hot meals and various other services throughout the week.

“Looking at the people here, they’re so happy just to have a place to go and enjoy (the meal),” said Sabu Shake Jr. “It really boosts up morale … we’re here to give them a lift up.”

Sand City’s Good Samaritan Center was renamed in 2016 to honor Sabu Shake Sr. and the family’s continued philanthropic support of the non-profit. Every year, Sabu Shake Jr. and his brother Chris host a Turkey drive, aiming to supply 2,000 turkeys and hams to the Salvation Army.

This year, the community raised nearly $45,000 in two weeks to provide turkeys and hams to people in need, according to Sabu Shake Jr.

Four volunteers worked in back-of-house to create the traditional Thanksgiving meal that served hundreds of Salvation Army clients. (Andrea Valadez – Monterey Herald)

A slew of volunteers helped organize and plate up food for the nearly 240 guests staff estimated would come through the chapel Wednesday. “It’s a beautiful organization. I’ve never seen any organization more well-run than this one,” said John Adamo who has been volunteering with the non-profit for six months.

“It brings fellowship, it brings harmony (and) it brings people together that want to work and help each other out, like the Lord would want us to do,” said Adamo.

Melbra Watts has been volunteering with the Salvation Army for over five years alongside her mother Ruthie, who sits on the advisory board for the organization. “This community is small enough to get your arms around so it just feels good to come out and serve others,” said Watts.

As a seasoned volunteer, Watts advised other community members to try their hand in giving back.

“It’s an opportunity to come together in community and celebrate and give thanks to each other. We’re all integral to the community and we all have our roles,” she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to honor each other.”