LIHU‘E, Kauai — There was not a table or chair left in the storage area of the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, Wednesday.

“Everything we have is out on the floor,” said Eddie Sarita, convention hall manager. “We’re going to have to start looking at which tables are expendable if more people come in.”

Although no exact figures were available, the sell-out crowd filled all available seats for the Thanksgiving meal. A number of such pre-Thanksgiving events have been held on Oahu as well. And today, the Salvation Army expects more than 2,000 people for its meal at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

Envoy Larry Groenleer of the Salvation Army, Lihu‘e Corps, said they increased the number of turkeys from 50 to 60 in anticipation of a larger crowd on Kauai this year.

Coupled with the more than 500 meals being delivered by the Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, Groenleer said they anticipated between 800-900 people to attend the luncheon at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. This combined total reflects almost 500 more people than in previous events.

Another luncheon was taking place at the same time at the Hanapepe Corps of the Salvation Army.

J Robertson, director of Ho‘ike Community Television who served as the emcee in Hanapepe, said he estimated more than 300 people enjoying the traditional meal prepared by the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa and served by an army of volunteers including the Mokihana Club from Waimea High School.

Victor Lucas, who was registering clients during the Thanksgiving food distribution at the Lihu‘e Corps, said they had a wait list of people needing food for the holidays. But after word got out, people were coming in with donations which helped fill the needs of almost all the people on the wait list.

“We had a few that we couldn’t fill because there was no food, but we suggested they come to the luncheon,” said Envoy Joy Groenleer.

Dimples Kano, a member of the Salvation Army’s luncheon committee and a Zonta Club member, said there appears to be a real need for food and personal hygiene items this year.

“The Zonta Club has been reviewing the holiday needs of people and last year, there were very few, if any, requests for food,” said Kano, who personally contributed three turkeys to help the Salvation Army wait list needs. “This year, in reviewing the needs, there are a lot of food requests as well as personal hygiene needs.”

Katie Beer, chairperson for the luncheon, said we should take this time to reflect on things we have to be grateful for. The Wednesday event is coinciding with Salvation Army units across the nation in celebrating Thanksgiving, she said during a radio interview.

Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said he is grateful and proud to be a “new papa” before carving the ceremonial turkey which was donated and prepared by the Bar-B-Que Inn restaurant on Kress Street.

That signaled the start of the serving being done by volunteers headed up by the Kapa‘a High School Interact Club with members of the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i joining other volunteers in the serving line.

Larry Groenleer said the Thanksgiving luncheon also signals the start of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign which see the familiar kettles make its appearance at shopping centers and locations around the island starting Friday morning.

“This Red Kettle campaign is for both the Lihu‘e and Hanapepe Corps and volunteers are needed to help ring the bells,” Groenleer said.