The Rays served up their annual Thanksmas meal to residents at the Salvation Army in Tampa Tuesday night.
"It’s a great feeling to take some time out to give back," said Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings. "To help people in need, and have fun, and put smiles on people’s faces."
Former Rays manager Joe Maddon first brought Thanksmas to the Bay Area in 2006 to help raise awareness for the homeless in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Major James Hall, the area commander for the Tampa Salvation Army shelters, said they serve meals 364 days a year but the Rays Thanksmas dinner is by far the most popular with the residents.
"I’m impressed with all the volunteers. I’m impressed with the food and the people notice," he said. "They notice that they’re being treated with dignity and that makes all the difference in the world."
The Rays have served approximately 7,000 Thanksmas meals over the past eight years. Resident Jordan Brown said it means a lot when Rays players serve up his meal.
"I’m very grateful that they’re giving this back," he said. "Showing us how much we mean to them.”
Jennings said giving back helps put him in the Christmas spirit.
"I feel like everybody knows somebody who’s there or been there before," he said. "So, you’re just not doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for people in need of it and that makes you feel good as a person.”
The Rays are scheduled to serve Thanksmas meals at the Homeless Emergency Project on Wednesday, at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida on Thursday and at the Bradenton Salvation Army on Friday.