Councilwoman, Salvation Army still in need of donations for Thanksgiving dinners

COLUMBIA — First Ward Councilwoman Almeta Crayton and the Salvation Army say they still need food and cash donations for their Thanksgiving dinners Thursday.

The Salvation Army does not need additional volunteers because of the small kitchen space at Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, where dinner starts at 11 a.m.

Crayton is still looking for cooks to prepare meals at Stamper Commons at Stephens College, with preparation starting at 7 a.m. The meal will be served at noon at Kimball Ballroom in Lela Raney Wood Hall.

Crayton said she still needs cakes, pies, ham and turkeys, especially for the food baskets she is handing out to families. These baskets include one turkey for every family.

“Some people can’t cook their own meals. That’s why we give them baskets,” Crayton said. “The ones that don’t have anywhere to go, they eat with me.”

The Salvation Army is asking for non-cream pies, cakes and monetary donations for turkeys.

Cyndy Chapman, the Salvation Army’s regional development director, said donations were so low this year they had to purchase turkeys.

“We had to go out and buy quite a few turkeys,” Chapman said. “We just bought them from the stores.”

Crayton anticipates she will serve 300 people. The Salvation Army expects from 600 to 900.

“We have people from all walks of life,” Chapman said. “We serve single men and women, families with children, people who don’t have a home, people who do. Elderly people come to dinner with us as well as young people.”

Crayton has been hosting her dinner for the last 10 years. She said she serves mostly those who can’t afford Thanksgiving dinners on their own.

“People who don’t qualify for those other programs, that’s who we serve,” Crayton said. “Some people think poor people qualify for all those government programs, but they don’t.”