שלום וברכה!
[חורף תשכ"ד]
... בשעה"כ שם: ומהדרין לאומרו בצבור - ולא ראיתי מקפידין בזה.
נדפסה בלקו"ש חכ"ד ע' 412.
בשעה"כ שם: פי"ז ס"ב - בנוגע לאמירת הודו בע"ש קודם מנחה.
Shalom u'Vrachah! [Winter 5724]
... In Sha'ar HaKolel there: And those who are meticulous say it in public—but I have not seen people being particular about this. Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 24, p. 412. In Sha'ar HaKolel there: chapter 17, section 2—regarding the recitation of Hodu on Erev Shabbos before Minchah.
Summary
The Rebbe writes about customs concerning communal prayer and the recitation of Hodu before Minchah on Erev Shabbos, noting that while some are careful with these practices, widespread strictness is not observed.