RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Thanksgiving came early at the Salvation Army of Beckley — making sure no one went hungry, and they had some help. ARH Hospital provided $5000 for food and supplies, and WVU Tech Culinary chefs cooked 500 dinners.
Because offering hot meals to our neighbors in need is what they are all about, as well as community compassion.
“This is our first joining together of the Salvation Army and Carpenter’s Corner, which on January 2nd will become The Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. I think this instills hope,” said Captain Liz Blusiewisz. “At the Salvation Army, we’re all about letting folks know you’re never alone, there’s always gonna be a hand up somewhere.”
Many appreciated the abundance of food and camaraderie, acknowledging how rough it is for our unhoused, low-income community members.
“I think it’s real, real good. A lot of people gets to eat that otherwise wouldn’t,” said Dobie Short, who attended the meal.
Salvation Army and Carpenters Corner discussed collaborating for years before the new building came into play.
“We knew our ministry could combine with Salvation Army, and could do so much more, and help so many more people than what we were able to do,” Carpenters Corner President Diann Prunesti said.
According to Blusiewisz, they opened their doors to the community because many folks were not familiar with the Salvation Army’s new building and thought it was a thrift store.
“No more thrift store; this means community,” she said. “This means coming together. This means having a safe place, to have a warm meal, a warm place, and hopefully a warm hug.”
Gloria O’neal enjoyed her first time at the Salvation Army.
“You get to see all the new faces and meet people, and meet the cooks and everything — God bless,” said meal attendee O’Neal.
We’re in this together.
“Community means us,” Blusiewisz said. “So let’s be us. Let’s do the most good.”
