Families lined up Thursday at the Salvation Army in Santa Maria, where volunteers, church groups, and partner organizations came together to serve hot Thanksgiving meals to community members in need.

What started as a longtime personal tradition for volunteers has now grown into a multigenerational effort.

“I started coming and volunteering about 20 years ago when I was a youth, when I was 16,” said Carmin Garcia, a member of the God Is Real Community Church. “About five years ago, I started bringing them here and having them experience what it’s like to give back to their community.”

For many of the youth involved, the experience goes beyond serving food.

“I don’t only think it helps our community but also helps our youth group because we start opening up more, we laugh, we have good

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