‘Outpouring of love.’ Salvation Army to host free Thanksgiving meal in Bradenton
The Salvation Army of Manatee County will host a free Thanksgiving Day meal for the community, “during a time meant for togetherness.”
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, food will be served at the organization’s downtown Bradenton campus, located at 1204 14th St. W, according to a release provided to the Bradenton Herald.
According to the release, the meal will consist of turkey, bread, stuffing, a vegetable, dessert and a drink.
Salvation Army hosts free Thanksgiving dinner
The Salvation Army of Manatee County has been hosting this annual turkey dinner since 1923, Major Thomas Richmond, corps officer and organization pastor, told the Bradenton Herald. He also says the meal is just a stepping stone to making a further difference in the lives of community members.
“You can’t talk to somebody about the condition of their soul… if their stomach is empty. So, as you feed them, you have that opportunity to get basically to the root of where they are and the things they need,” Richmond said.
The organization, which has a presence in 133 countries , doesn’t limit free meals to holidays. The Salvation Army of Manatee County also provides free community dinners every weekday from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at its downtown location, according to its website.
In addition to feeding the community, the organization also houses those in need within Bradenton and Manatee County. Their downtown campus can provide shelter to as many as 150 people, according to Deral Pitts, the organization’s director of community relations and development.
Over 200 meals are expected to be served at this year’s Thanksgiving Day dinner in just one hour. According to Richmond, volunteers at the Salvation Army of Manatee County will work hard to ensure tables are set, individuals are ushered into the dining area the moment there is a spot available and food is served to the community members at their seats to eliminate lines and mitigate waiting time.
“When folks come in, we want them to be as comfortable as they can be,” Richmond told the Bradenton Herald in an interview.
“It is a wonderful outpouring of love and support from the community to the community,” Richmond continued.
Richmond and Pitts told the Bradenton Herald that the meal is open for anyone who needs it. They also say that the real importance of this event doesn’t lie in the food nor the place, it lies in the people and the connections that they hope the community members will make with one another.
“To come in and be able to sit and… strike a conversation with a complete stranger, or someone they’ve seen in the past as one of our volunteers or staff, it’s a time for them to be able to just let go and be together with people,” Richmond said. “Some who are like-minded and some who just want to pour out the love and let them know that they matter.”
“It’s not just the place… I believe it’s truly the people,” Richmond continued . “If it were just a building that made a difference, why would we need to be here?”
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 5:50 AM.