BALTIMORE — It has been serving the people of Baltimore and the surrounding area for 130 years, and with the exception of the Spanish flu outbreak a century ago, the Salvation Army of Central Maryland had rarely witnessed such need at thanksgiving until now.
“The demand is a lot higher,” said Major DeeAnn Glick of the Central Maryland Area Command,
“We have people who have lost their jobs. We have people who are just living day to day trying to figure out how they’re going to pay their utilities or their rent assistance so definitely are numbers are higher.”
This week, workers and volunteers have packed up their vehicles with boxes full of food, including a Thanksgiving feast, for 1,500 families or about 5,000 people.
“That would come with the turkey, the mash potatoes, even all the way down to the fresh biscuits and pie as well,” said Glick. “So we give that to the families, but we also give them a box of pantry food---food that would could be shelf stable so they’re not just eating Thanksgiving, but they have more food to continue on.”
The salvation army has partnered with Macy’s and the 53 Families Foundation headed up by former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain and his wife, Keisha, to help these families at a time when they need it the most.
“When we deliver the meals, they’re just so happy to see us and with COVID-19 especially, our elderly shouldn’t be leaving the house. So we are really keeping them a lot safer by delivering the meals ourselves,” said Keisha McClain as she helped load up cars. “They get really, really happy, real excited and it’s really what it’s all about.”
