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Hyatt, Salvation Army host dinner for volunteers
»Organization served 36,000 meals in August
Marianas High School student volunteers pose for a photo at The Salvation Army’s volunteer appreciation dinner. (Thomas A. Manglona II)
Hyatt Regency Saipan and The Salvation Army hosted a volunteer appreciation dinner last Friday at Giovanni’s, recognizing members of the community for their service at their soup kitchen in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor.
According to ministry leaders Pastor Wayne and Annie Gillespie, over 95 percent of volunteers after the typhoon were walk-ins.
With their help, the organization was able to serve over 36,000 meals in August alone. On one occasion, they served over 2,000 meals in four hours.
“We had very little ways to get the word out…but what we found was that in addition to our congregation, we had a lot of people who just showed up,” Wayne told Saipan Tribune. “The incredible thing to me was that a surprising number of the volunteers had nothing left [after the typhoon] but continued to help. The volunteers did incredible things.”
During the mass feedings, more than 100 volunteers were serving an average of 800 to 1,000 meals an hour.
“There were a lot of opportunities for people to volunteer on the island and we are so grateful for the wonderful people who are here and chose the Salvation Army,” said volunteer coordinator Anastasia Scott. “It was not a comfortable situation…and people still came back and I am incredibly gracious that they did.”
One volunteer, a 16-year-old Marianas High School student, described her and her friend’s experience at the soup kitchen as “heartwarming.”
“We were able to really give back to the community… It was really sad to see how many people were affected by the typhoon,” she said.
Donors were also awarded with plaques and recognized at last week’s event. The Salvation Army will be hosting a Thanksgiving lunch at noon this Thursday at their soup kitchen, which is open to the public. The organization will also be providing transportation to a number of families who will be joining them in their annual Thanksgiving event.
