World Photo by Lou Sennick Debbie West helps put the finishing touches on 200 food boxes with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner Monday afternoon in Coos Bay. The boxes are for veteran and active service military families in the area. Food was purchased locally and boxed up at The Green Spot for delivery on Tuesday.

COOS BAY — Two hundred families have a Thanksgiving meal today.

And for that, they can give a special thanks to Sandra and John Ambrosini of Coos Bay and the Point Man Ministries, a local veterans group.

The Ambrosinis wanted to do something to help people in the community this Thanksgiving. They especially wanted to help members of the armed forces and their families.

Sandra said she and her husband had noticed the lists at area grocery stores encouraging low income families to sign up for reduced Thanksgiving food items, such as turkeys, or to receive Thanksgiving gift baskets. The pair also knew that local food pantries and other programs helped to meet those needs.

“We felt people were covered” she said, referring to those who can qualify for reduced cost foods, food stamps and food from the South Coast Food Share.

Then they learned through the Point Man Ministries that many service members, their families and veterans could use a boost this holiday, Sandra said.

Debra West, who is a veteran’s wife and works with Point Man, said veterans face different issues like post traumatic stress disorder and diabetes, and just need a little help.

Spouses of military personnel are often left behind, said veteran Norma Booker. They are lonely and face challenges

“Spouses at home have a hard time,” she said.

Sandra said she understood that some service member families need help with food but don’t meet some of the requirements to get aid.

She said John went to Point Man to get a feel for the project’s viability, and if the group would like to help.

They didn’t get many donations, although some local stores provided a discount on some food items in the boxes. The couple and Point Man funded the project.

“Veterans help veterans,” Brooker said.

She and West added that this type of program provides help, but doesn’t necessarily require the veterans or the service members to ask for that help.

“It is a hard thing to do, to say ‘I need,’” West said, adding that many veterans and service families are very proud.

The Ambrosinis found the people they wanted to help by going to the Oregon National Guard where they learned there were 185 families who could use the meal. Sandra said the remaining 15 approached them for a food box.

On Monday, the couple and their volunteers put the boxes together so families could pick up the boxes Tuesday at The Green Spot.

And the veterans and service members are grateful and appreciate the thought.

“It’s kind of a change,” said Sgt. Robert Gillem as he picked up his boxed Tuesday. “We’re usually the ones helping.”