Abraham Simon says changes at Siloam Mission’s kitchen can be counted by the number of plates.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life in 2020, Simon — a volunteer at the non-profit shelter for 15 years — helped prepare about 300 meals a day. When the pandemic struck, and in the years since that time, demand soared.

Today, the kitchen serves roughly 1,500 meals in three sittings each day — a number that can reach 2,000 meals around holidays such as Thanksgiving.

On Friday, Siloam volunteers stepped up to the plate again to dish out a turkey dinner with a range of side dishes for the annual holiday meal. The event at the mission, at 303 Stanley St., is one of the busiest and most valued events of the year.

Generally, about one-third of those who come at mealtime have housing, an

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