Maddon stirring the sauce on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Rays.

Rays manager Joe Maddon kicks off his annual Thanksmas event of cooking and serving holiday meals to the needy with a stop at the Sallie House in St. Petersburg today.

Maddon, with helping hands from Rays coaches and staffers, will also serve Tuesday at Salvation Army centers in Bradenton (noon) and St. Petersburg (4:30 p.m.) and in Tampa (5 p.m.) on Wednesday. Maddon went shopping for the ingredients on Saturday and spent much of Sunday at the Trop cooking.

There is now a website for the event, joesthanksmas.com , which includes history of the event - now in its sixth season - and a link for those wanting to donate.