Feeding Effort For Homeless Grows

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Salvation Army hit the streets bringing Thanksgiving dinner to hundreds of Nashville's homeless.

The meal came a day late, but the wait was worth it.

For someone who's homeless, the holidays include a wish list that's much different than most.

It's a list of necessities such as a place to sleep and something to eat.

On Friday, the Salvation Army made one of those a reality.

Surviving the streets means expecting the unexpected. But every Friday night at 6 p.m. under the Jefferson Street Bridge nearly 200 of Nashville's homeless have a routine.

"Yeah it has special meaning. I'm getting to see my fellow people," said one man.

Dani Amendola and dozens of Salvation Army volunteers started the routine.

Cooking and serving hundreds of hot plates every Friday night.

"I like doing this for fun. And love coming out and getting the opportunity to cook for the homeless," he said.

"There's more gratitude in this group under a bridge than I might see or hear about on a day-to-day basis," said Mike Servais, executive director of marketing and resource development at the Nashville Area Command of The Salvation Army.

On the day after Thanksgiving, perhaps the meal means more.

"They're my friends so tonight made my Thanksgiving," said one man.

"So many good things, but we're all just so blessed to be alive," said Ward Shroeder.

With more Middle Tennesseans losing work, losing their homes and struggling to survive veterans of this night say the line is getting longer.

"I'm going to say there's a lot of new ones. Most that's here right now I don't know," said one regular.

And they don't know who will be waiting in line next week. The constants are the truck, the volunteers and the Friday night routine.

Salvation Army officials said this year has been a difficult one for all of their programs. During the current tough financial times the demand from those in need has doubled.

The problem is donations are drying up.

Salvation Army volunteers started serving Friday night meals for the homeless three years ago.