The Orlando Division of The Salvation Army recently hosted a 'HOPESgiving' event. Organizers said that this year marked the 28th year of the event. 

More Than Just a Meal

In a report with Click Orlando, the organization said that they host the event annually to give Thanksgiving meals to those in need. Toni, 69, attends the yearly event. She said she is grateful not only for the free meal but for the company of the group. 

Toni told the news outlet that the nonprofit always provided a comfortable atmosphere that made her feel welcome. She said she met many people who were in the same situation as her. They did have a family to celebrate the holidays with. 

Toni added that she was thankful for HOPESgiving and that she looked forward to it every year. 

Volunteering to Feed the Hungry

Hundreds of volunteers also showed up to help distribute the free meals. 

Darla Steed is one of the volunteers who flew in from South Carolina. She said she served as a volunteer for the nonprofit for many years. 

Steed told Click Orlando that the organization managed to serve 15,000 meals last year despite COVID-19 restrictions. She added that she helped prepare the ingredients for this year. 

The Salvation Army decided not to have a sit-down meal inside the gymnasium. The volunteers set up tables and chairs for the guests outside. They handed out pre-packaged meals for them to eat. 

Beloved Tradition

Ken Chapman, who heads the Orlando area, noted that there were many people this year. He said the organization has been doing this for 28 years now. The tradition has become a special day for everyone who attended. He added that many of their guests did not want to be alone on Thanksgiving. 

Chapman added that the tradition brought hope and love to the community. He said the fellowship they shared and the hope that they felt were more important than the food. 

International Movement

According to The Salvation Army website, the nonprofit is an international movement. It works as an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. 

The organization derives its message from the Bible. Its members motivate themselves with God's love. 

The mission of the nonprofit is to preach Christ's Gospel to the world. They also aim to meet human needs in God's name. 

Angel Tree Program

The Salvation Army recently launched its Angel Tree program in Orlando. Interested donors may approach their local Walmart, Chick-Fil-A, or The Mall at Millenia. 

They would choose an "angel" from the Angel Tree and grant their wish in the form of gifts they requested. 

In a previous report with Click Orlando, 1,000 seniors joined the Angel Tree Program. 

Many of those who enrolled in the program are clients of the nonprofit. 

The seniors who joined lived a hard life and were homeless before The Salvation Army took them in. 

They told the news outlet they appreciated the program because people always gave beautiful gifts during the holidays. 

According to the nonprofit, many Americans are still suffering from pandemic poverty. Over 7.1 million people are currently behind on rent. At least 20 million Americans experience food insecurity. 

More from Crossmap: Salvation Army Orlando launches 'Angel Tree' program to benefit struggling seniors