HAYWARD — With Centennial Hall facilities closing at the end of the month, the Salvation Army is out of a place to host its popular annual Thanksgiving dinner, and organizers want to get out word that they only will be able to provide box meals this year.

The Hayward chapter of the Salvation Army has been hosting the Thanksgiving event for 24 years, and last year saw 1,600 people show up for a traditional holiday meal.

But the large conference center they usually used free of charge, courtesy of the city, is closing because it is destined to be remodeled — with an office tower, apartment complex, hotel and conference center ultimately planned for the site.

While those plans are on hold because of the economic downturn, city officials said the facilities have been losing money for years and need to be shut down. Opening it for some events is not an option, Assistant City Manager Fran David said.

"Once we start opening it for one entity, how do we justify not opening it for others?" she said. "Then, pretty soon it's just open again, all the time."

Patty Martinez of the Salvation Army said they've been looking for an alternate site but nothing suitable has surfaced, although they plan to keep searching in hopes of resuming the dinner next year.

She said the dinner boxes will feed about four people each, and include turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, cranberry sauce — the usual Thanksgiving fare. However,

"There are going to be some holes, some people are homeless and we don't have anything for that," she said.

"We saw a 20 percent increase last year, and served 4,000 meals," said Shirley Sisk, executive director of the Tri-Cities League of Volunteers, which said they expect to see more people this year because of the Centennial Hall closure. "We're going to get more turkeys, and do the best we can."

The Salvation Army box meals will be available for low-income residents of Hayward, Castro Valley and San Lorenzo.

Photo identification, Social Security or medical cards and proof of address is required.