(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The holidays can be lonely for many. The Salvation Army provided a meal and free community event for those who wanted to spread some cheer and enjoy the holidays with "a community family" on Christmas Day. Hundreds gathered together at the Salvation Army in Colorado Springs, and other locations in Woodland Park, Manitou Springs, and Fountain to celebrate the holidays on Wednesday, Dec. 25. "Not everybody has family, friends, or someone's house they can go visit to get a nice, warm meal, and a lot of organizations and services in town are closed because it is a family holiday so that's why it's important that we open," said Chef at the Salvation Army Colorado Cafe Jorge Granados. Granados said the Salvation Army prepares weeks in advance and has an early start of the day on Christmas to feed those who attend the community event. Anyone who wanted to spend the holidays with others or wanted a hot meal was invited to come. "Anybody that put a little change in the kettle, a dollar bill, or some other donation in, it's actually starting right now for a meal for somebody," said Corps Officer and El Paso County Coordinator for the Salvation Army Stephen Ball. "So thank you for everything that's been done in this community and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas."