A Follansbee area church and the Brooke County Salvation Army will be holding community dinners on Thanksgiving Day and welcome some help from area residents.

Hooverson Heights Church of Christ, at Rockdale Road and Church Avenue, will be holding its community dinner from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the holiday, and the Salvation Army will be holding its dinner from noon to 3 p.m. that day at the Salvation Army Service Center at 401 Commerce St. (state Route 2) in Wellsburg.

Mary Kimberland, a member of Hooverson Heights Church of Christ involved with the dinner, said donations of non-perishable food, suited for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and gift cards for local food stores, are appreciated.

Kimberland said she has used her Facebook page to request such donations and volunteers and has received great response.

"You wouldn't believe how many people have e-mailed me wanting to donate. There are so many people in this area who have reached out," she said.

The Rev. Dan Cooper, the church's pastor, said many younger adults are eager to participate in church-based community service efforts even when they are not sure they want to attend church.

He said the dinner, which was suggested by Kimberland, is the first of several outreach programs in the works under the banner,"Help on the Hill."

But Cooper said the dinner isn't limited to local residents down on their luck.

"It's also for anybody who doesn't have a family to spend the holiday with," he said.

Those interested in helping or attending should call (304) 527-1081 or e-mail Cooper at dbcooper1962@ gmail.com. Those planning to attend are asked to make reservations by Nov. 25 if possible, though no one will be turned away.

Organizers of the Salvation Army dinner also stressed it's open to anyone, whether it's a hot meal or some good company they seek.

"They don't have to be in need. They can just come down and Thanksgiving dinner with us," said Salvation Army Capt. Goldie Long, who with her husband, Capt. Ed Long, oversees the Brooke and Hancock county Salvation Army headquarters.

Rebecca Bell, secretary for the Brooke County Salvation Army Service Center, said the annual event has been attended by several couples whose grown children live away.

Long added shuttles will be available to residents of local senior housing complexes and meals will be delivered to shut-ins.

Reservations aren't required but are encouraged, particularly for groups, and may be made by calling (304) 737-0071.

Long added the Hancock County Salvation Army also will be involved in a community Thanksgiving Dinner to be held by the Weirton Ministerial Association from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Greater Weirton Senior Center.

The meal at the Brooke County center will be served by many of the same volunteers who prepare the community lunches offered at the center at noon each Wednesday and Friday, but additional volunteers are welcome.

Long said the Salvation Army has been blessed with the donation of about 400 turkeys from Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, but donations of non-perishable food are appreciated.

The Salvation Army also maintains a food pantry used to feed local residents in need, the number of which has increased significantly, she said.

Long said during the Salvation Army's recent holiday assistance and Coats for Kids application period, the organization saw more applicants in the first day than in all four days last year.

She added many of the applicants are first-timers who had been let go by their employers within the last year.

Increased need has led to Salvation Army officials throughout the U.S. moving up their Christmas kettle campaigns, and the Brooke and Hancock county Salvation Army is no different, with its kettle and Angel Tree campaigns set beginning Friday.

Those interested in serving as volunteer bell ringers are encouraged to contact the Salvation Army at 737-0071 or (304) 748-4310. Kettles will be established outside the Value-Fresh Foods in Follansbee, formerly Mor For Less Food Store; the Dollar General Market on state Route 2 and Cross Creek Road; and the Wellsburg Kroger and Dollar General stores.

The Salvation Army seeks additional businesses with heavy traffic for kettles and Angel Trees, which are decorated with ornaments bearing the names of the gift wishes of children of families in need.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)