(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the Springs Rescue Mission (SRM) hosted its annual Thanksgiving Banquet, offering a free holiday meal, a hot cocoa bar, and a pop-up winter wear shop for those in need. "For many of our neighbors, this meal isn’t just about great food — it’s about belonging," said Travis Williams, Interim President & CEO. "SRM’s annual Thanksgiving Banquet is a time for our guests to feel seen, connected, and encouraged." The community event, which was free and open to the public, took place in the dining hall of SRM's campus just south of downtown, located at 5 West Las Vegas Street. "We feed people every day down here and there's something going all the time, but today is kind of special because it's Thanksgiving and people can come in, get warm, get some food, eat, and see who we are," said Tom Perkins, a SRM volunteer. "A lot of these people use the mission and a lot of them don't. So it's just a good chance to expose people to what we're doing." Aside from the delicious Thanksgiving meal and hot cocoa bar to warm up, the pop-up winter wear shop offered guests complimentary coats, hats, gloves, and socks. "This is an opportunity for men and women experiencing homelessness to feel the warmth of community this holiday season," Williams said. “There is hope to be found here at Springs Rescue Mission — hope that can be ignited by a nutritious meal and an encouraging word." Volunteers set the tables and served the guests to create a true sense of dignified hospitality and community. The preparation started the weekend before, all with the goal of making sure everyone had something to be thankful for. "This is the type of day that has all the feels. It's what reminds us of what it really means to be human, what it really means to love your neighbor as you love yourself," said Williams. "To feel the energy and the joy and the gratitude that's within this room, I think that's something that many people who may not be experiencing homelessness, they may be shocked and surprised to hear. So many of the folks at the Rescue Mission have such a posture of gratitude. They're thankful." According to Williams, volunteers and staff were expected to serve more than 600 hungry neighbors during the holiday event. It was a full community effort to make the meal happen. Kids across Colorado Springs colored placemats, in the hopes of warming someone else's heart this Thanksgiving. There were over 400 turkeys donated along with lots of other food. The Springs Rescue Mission is celebrating on Thanksgiving day as well. It hopes to connect even more people with a nice Thanksgiving meal and services.