Thanksgiving Day started early for those at the Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday as volunteers and staff prepped breakfast ahead of the center's doors opening at 5:30 a.m.
Along with grits, oatmeal, cold cereal, coffee, milk, and water the group serving breakfast had a few extra items to offer up to those choosing to start their day with them.
"Every year on Thanksgiving we try and do some special things, so today we've got some jackets, hats, and gloves that we'll make available to our guests," said Richard Bahr, co-founder of Threshold to New Life, a nonprofit that has been serving the homeless, and providing services to prevent families from losing their housing, since 2013.
Bahr, a pastor at Grace Fellowship in Brooklyn Park, leads 2.4 Ministries which provides a daily breakfast and fellowship at the shelter. While Thursday seemed like a normal day for his group, there was the added Thanksgiving-element that Bahr says can be difficult for some.
"If you're in a place where your struggling in life it can be hard to find things you're thankful about," he said. "I think we try and be careful with people about that, but we want to recognize it and celebrate it, encouraging people to be thankful."
For many who come through the Harbor Light Center doors, Thanksgiving Day is about more than just a meal.
"We hope so," said Lieutenant Colonel Randall Posley with the Salvation Army. "We want to make it as good a day as possible. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for family and many of our friends who come through these doors don't celebrate with families. We become the family. The friends and neighbors who come through the doors become their family."
The need and struggle throughout the Twin Cities remains prevalent according to Bahr who sees it firsthand through his outreach.
"It is still very high," Bahr said. "We haven't et had time where we didn't have guests who didn't need a meal or handout in some fashion. You drive around anywhere in the Twin Cities and you see people who are panhandling, people camping outside in the cold. It's unconscionable to me."
At least 50 volunteers are needed to operate the Thursday morning breakfast.
With the holiday season in full swing, volunteer opportunities remain, including through the Salvation Army's Red Kettle fundraisers.
"The Red Kettles are on the street around the community and there are opportunities for people to ring," Posley said. "We're also doing a very traditional toy shop where families can bring their children. We're expecting about 5,000 families to come and shop at our toy shops throughout the community."
Those interested in learning more about becoming a Red Kettle bell ringer can do so here.