Pensacola USO to feed service members

PENSACOLA NAS - The Pensacola USO is getting ready for a big Thanksgiving meal. More than a thousand service members can't make it home, and they'll will spend their Thanksgiving at Pensacola NAS.

It will take more than 300 cases of soda and 65 turkeys to feed everyone.

"It's wonderful. Eating at the chow hall, it's the same thing everyday. It's nice to have a home cooked meal over at the USO," Pfc. Jeffrey Guinn said.

"It's pretty cool. It's good that to know that not just people here care about us, people out in town come and make a special effort," Pfc. Tad Klien said.

It's not just the kitchen and pantries filled with food and items. This year, there's been so many donations, offices are now filled to the max.

"Last year, we were clueless. That's kind of a fun place to be, when you don't know what it means to feed 450, much less 700," Heidi Blair with the USO said. "There's joy in that. This year, we're like, 'Oh my goodness, have we remembered trash cans, ice, paper plates, silverware?' Those sorts of logistical things we kind of stumbled through last year."

This is their second year putting on the meal. One thing they did learn, is that leftovers aren't something they have to worry about with this bunch.

The USO still needs things like paper plates, trash cans, and vegetable dishes. If interested in helping out, you can stop by the USO, or give them a call at 850-455-8280 and select Option 2.