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    • Salvation Army feeds 700 people for Thanksgiving in crowded Farmington
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    Salvation Army feeds 700 people for Thanksgiving in crowded Farmington

    Pabio Posted on

    200 volunteers set up, decorate, cook and serve at the Farmington Civic Center

    Salvation Army volunteer Vicente Jacquez waits for plates to be filled to be served at the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Farmington Civic Center on Thursday. (Curtis Ray Benally/Special to the Tri-City Record)

    Curtis Ray Benally

    The Farmington Civic Center has been transformed into a festive and welcoming dining hall that can accommodate approximately 700 people on Thanksgiving afternoon.

    It was the Salvation Army Community Thanksgiving Dinner, and it was open to anyone looking for a hearty meal and conversation.

    The annual event ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but preparations began well before the doors opened and the turkey was served. Nearly 200 volunteers came to perform various tasks, including cooking, decorating, setting up and serving.

    “The Civic Center environment is beautiful,” said Tanya Marie, who was volunteering with her daughter Franchesca Marie. “It’s interesting to come together and help these people.”

    Salvation Army volunteers Susan (left) and Misty (center) have a little fun while fellow volunteer Mattie (right) fills plates with turkey, mashed potatoes and sauce, stuffing, green beans and rolls in the Farmington Civic Center banquet hall. THURSDAY. (Curtis Ray Benally/Special to the Tri-City Record)

    Curtis Ray Benally

    Marie was sitting with Mattie Julian, who has been volunteering for 11 years. “It was wonderful. We had a lot of people to serve,” Julian said.

    Julian convinced his friend Bert Marsh to come out this year.

    “I met a lot of people,” said Marsh, who admitted she was a little nervous at first, but “everyone was friendly.”

    She also said “the food was good.”

    Estrella Montoya (left) and her fellow Salvation Army volunteers prepare platters of food in the Farmington Civic Center kitchen Thursday for the annual Thanksgiving dinner. (Curtis Ray Benally/Special to the Tri-City Record)

    Curtis Ray Benally

    The full turkey dinner with all the trimmings was prepared in partnership with Lord’s Pantry and Hills Church, said Lt. Christopher Rockwell of the Salvation Army.

    “We do this every year, and the city and the Civic Center have been a wonderful partner for us,” Rockwell said, adding, “We couldn’t be more grateful.”

    Rockwell said 600 people were served last year, but the need appears greater this year. “We’ve seen people who need a lot of boxes of food,” he said.

    “This year has been very good,” Rockwell said. “We had a lot of volunteers and a lot of hungry mouths to feed. »

    U.S. Navy and Vietnam veteran Richard Lewis shows his approval for the Thanksgiving dinner served and donated by the Salvation Army Thursday at the Farmington Civic Center. (Curtis Ray Benally/Special to the Tri-City Record)

    Curtis Ray Benally

    Brianna Pena Andrade, Miss Teen New Mexico 2024-25, walks between tables serving Thanksgiving dinners provided by the Salvation Army Thursday at the Farmington Civic Center. (Curtis Ray Benally/Special to the Tri-City Record)

    Curtis Ray Benally

    Brooklyn Jacquez, a Piedra Vista High School sophomore, serves a turkey dinner donated by the Salvation Army during Thanksgiving Thursday in the Farmington Civic Center banquet hall. (Curtis Ray Benally/Special to the Tri-City Record)

    Curtis Ray Benally

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