For the sixth year in a row, the largest prepared Thanksgiving meal in Salina was the same, but different. Volunteers cooked and sliced up 70 turkeys, which were part of about 900 meals handed out Wednesday evening.

What was the same was the Salina Salvation Army, partnering with  organizations including Spangles, the GL Huyett company of Minneapolis, the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank, and a dedicated group of  volunteers again provided a free community-wide Thanksgiving dinner.

Just like the last several years, the Salvation Army provided the meal as a drive thru / carryout from its facility in north Salina.

What was different…people were welcome to eat inside after receiving their meal.

A long line of vehicles stretched for several blocks, each slowly driving by and receiving up to four meals which included turkey with all the trimmings and dessert.

While the event was scheduled to begin at 4:00 in the afternoon, a long line of vehicles lined up early. The first vehicle was in line at 2:00.

Right at 4:00 Lieutenant Luke Hursh opened things up. The community-wide event attracted a very wide range of people, including some homeless who walked thru. Vehicles of every make, model, and size drove thru.

The Salina Salvation Army has now been providing a free Thanksgiving meal for the community for over two decades.