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Released 23 December 2011
KNOXVILLE, TENN. - December 23 - The Salvation Army will again
open its doors for a traditional Christmas dinner this Sunday. Up to
1,000 guests are expected for what has
become a Christmas tradition at The Salvation Army. Doors will open at 12 p.m.
and dinner will be served until 5 p.m.
The Salvation Army serves three
meals a day, 365 days a year to those in their residential programs.
However, on Sundays and on Christmas day, lunch
is available to anyone.
"It's a huge event for us," said
Thomas Orth, Kitchen Director at The Salvation Army. "It's a challenge to
fit everyone into our
facility and the preparations are a lot of work, but it is definitely worth
it," added Orth. "It's an opportunity for us to share Christ's love with our
community on the day that we celebrate His birth."
The kitchen staff has been
preparing for the special meal for several days - cooking turkeys and hams,
making homemade stuffing and baking pies for dessert.
More than 20 volunteers are also
scheduled to serve on Christmas day.
"Our volunteers are eager to serve on Christmas," said Volunteer
Coordinator, Yvonne Yates. "Like everything at The Salvation Army, it takes a
team of employees, donors and volunteers to make it a success."
Major Don Vick will be available
for interview from 12 - 1 p.m. For more information call (865) 525-9401.
About
The Salvation Army
The
Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church
established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without
discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million
Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the
broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the
hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to
the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for
underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out
those
services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.