For many that can't afford to eat out, the Salvation Army has been providing meals Monday through Saturday to the Billings community for years.
Now, the organization is extending the service to seven days a week.
For the second week, the Salvation Army packed up Sunday lunch.
Salisbury steak, pasta or mashed potatoes and cauliflower were on the menu.
Volunteers have been delivering about 450 meals every day.
“There have been many more who've reached out in need of meals because they’ve been unable to leave their homes or the kids are home from school all week,” said Lt. Felecia Pederson of the Salvation Army. “It’s almost doubled.”
Two community table vans make deliveries every day in about 1-1/2 hours.
While things are different for a lot of people, it is quite normal for the Salvation Army to be helping people.
“Most of the people we deal with on a regular basis are experiencing crisis,” Pederson said. “It’s our mission to serve those who are experiencing loss and to help them, give them a hand up.
In these times, Pederson said it’s important to give encouragement.
“We’ve just tried to meet needs of those around us,” she said. “Our neighbors, helping them, offering hope in whatever way we can. Even though there’s a lot going on in our lives, there is a God who cares about us, who does want to meet our needs and give us peace during this time.”
“We see many people who just have a heart to help,” Pederson said. “There’s nothing better than being able to give. When we give, we’re the ones who really receive, right? We receive peace just knowing we were able to do something to help some one else. And we see the thankful faces every day.”
“Appreciate you guys,” one man said about the lunch. “Have a great day. Thank you.”
“Thank you,” a woman said at another delivery site. “You have a good one.”
“This is super great man,” said Pete Ramos, who received a lunch. “Super good. They always help the people out, no matter what. “
The Salvation Army delivers Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and now Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Delivery sites are available on its Facebook page, “The Salvation Army Billings.”
Pederson said if anyone needs meals, the office number is 406-245-4659.
It is open from 9 a,m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
