Steam rose from serving pans as volunteers carried plates to tables Thursday, Nov. 27 at the Salvation Army, turning the dining hall into a place where neighbors and strangers shared more than just a holiday meal — they shared time, warmth and a moment of dignity.

Among those volunteers was Erica Rich, who came with a clear purpose: to teach her 7-year-old daughter, Harper, something she believes can’t be taught in a classroom.

“Volunteering with The Salvation Army is something we’ve done since I was a kid,” Rich said. “Now that my daughter is getting older, I wanted to get her started in helping the community — to see how these things work and give back.”

She said service is also about perspective.

“I wanted her to see the community and see how these things work,” Rich said. “So she u

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