Thanksgiving dinners for up to 300 people were served last night by the Salvation Army with the help of the Hamilton Princess Hotel.

People in need were treated to a turkey dinner at the charity’s North Street Citadel in Hamilton prepared by the top hotel’s chefs and staff rallied round to help serve the meals.

One of the diners, who identified herself only as Susan, said she had picked up a meal for a senior citizen friend as well.

The woman added: “The Salvation Army always look after you. It’s a beautiful thing.

“Some people don’t have anything right now. Everyone can use a helping hand.”

She added: “I don’t know how they do it – but they do.”

Volunteers from the hotel teamed up with charity staff to hand out meals with stuffing, pumpkin rice, cassava pie and macaroni and cheese – along with gingerbread cake for dessert.

It was a special occasion for Salvation Army Captain Dwayne Barnes and his wife, Kendacy Barnes, who pitched in to help with their three-year old daughter, Celine.

The couple, who are both stationed at the Citadel, came to Bermuda just four months ago from New York.

Mr Barnes said: “We’re never in just one place.

“The call came for us, and we were excited to come and serve. We came with open hearts – Bermuda is already a special place to us.”

Ms Barnes said: “We were elated to have the Hamilton Princess on board. We are a community helping as a community.”

Mr Barnes said the need for aid had rocketed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and that the Salvation Army helped feed 2,700 families last month.

A spokeswoman for the hotel said the traditional giveaway was all the more important this year.

She added that pandemic precautions meant that meals had to be individually packaged.

She added: “It’s been interesting adapting.

“Obviously, it’s been a mad time at the hotel – but it’s so important that we keep giving to the community.”