ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Imagine cooking at least 60 to 90 pounds of turkeys, five hams, 1,320 pounds of potatoes, 20 pumpkin and pecan pies, and having 800 to 900 of your closest friends, families, and co-workers come spend the day with you.
If you are Tech. Sgt. Shante Castro, 316th Services Squadron Food Services NCOIC, you don't have to imagine it.
On Thanksgiving Day, it's the food service team's reality.
"It's going to be a great time," said Sergeant Castro, "On Thanksgiving Day, the dining facility is open to everyone - military, retirees, DoD civilians, and their families."
The fact that the dining facility is open to everyone makes it convenient, especially for military members who have to work Thanksgiving Day. "If you are like me and have to work that day, have your family come and meet you so you can spend some time together. We're going to have so much food to choose from like roast turkey, baked ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and pecan and pumpkin pie. We'll have anything that you'd cook at home and the food is awesome. Plus, the best part is, it's easy. No cooking, no cleaning. You can head on home afterwards and watch the game."
There will be plenty for the family to do, as well. "It's going to be a really nice day. We're going to have ice sculptures, two big-screen televisions, and the kids are going to receive coloring books. Plus, it's really cost effective. You get a really nice-sized, great meal for not a whole lot of money." Sergeant Castro said the meals are priced ala carte, where one can expect to pay on average $5, but if you get a little of everything, it might run as much as $8.
"Thanksgiving is even more special at the dining facility because it is a time of interacting with base leadership," said the sergeant. On Thanksgiving Day, the senior leadership comes in to serve the troops. It's their way to say thank you and it shows appreciation for what we do."
The Thanksgiving Meal will be at Freedom Hall will be served from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Breakfast will be served from 3:30 to 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.