Mitch Garrett gets a hot cup of coffee to go with his meal Wednesday from the kitchen counter at the Salvation Army of Mitchell. It's chilly outside with a few snowflakes beginning to fall, but inside the aroma of turkey,

Berkhoudt is now a captain with the Salvation Army of Newburyport. She and a host of volunteers prepared a special experience for 115 people Thursday. "It's going to be a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and enjoy each other's company and enjoy a good meal," Berkhoudt said.

Once the cooking was done, the more than 2,000 pounds of turkey and mashed potatoes as well as the more than 1,500 pounds of green beans and cranberry sauce, plus desserts and rolls, were packaged up into hot boxes.