POTTSVILLE -- People stood out in the cold for at least an hour to get a helping hand from the Salvation Army in Pottsville on Monday.
Those in line said their need is real.
The Salvation Army in Pottsville says a record number of people signed up for all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner, so many that they had to stand in line at the facility on Sanderson Street to pick up their meals.
“It's a nice thing that they do for us but it's really, really cold out here,” said Angel Kreiser of Pottsville.
For Kreiser, the Salvation Army makes a big difference.
“I wouldn't be able to make anything for my kids.”
Inside, volunteers prepared boxes with food. Some of it came from WNEP's Feed a Friend program. Those we talked to say their need is real.
“My husband is fighting for disability and I am currently unemployed, so it's a struggle,” Michelle Haas of Pottsville explained.
“Things are kind of hard the way the economy is, so we signed up to get some things for free Thanksgiving dinner ,” said Dave Brennan of Girardville.
There was someone missing from all the activity. Capt. Adam Hench passed away in June. His wife, Tammy, now runs the Salvation Army in Pottsville. This is the first holiday season without her husband at her side.
“Captain Adam was a mover and a shaker and he's very missed but what we're doing today, I'm pretty sure he'd be proud of us,” she said.
The next event as far as Thanksgiving is concerned is this Thursday for anyone who wants to sit down and have a Thanksgiving meal.