Happy Thanksgiving from Denver Rescue Mission!
Thanks to you, our generous supporters in this community, our 2020 Turkey Drive was a huge success, bringing in more than 15,464 turkeys!
Those turkeys were put to good use at our Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box distribution and serving meals at our locations, including the Lawrence Street Community Center, 48th Avenue Center, the Denver Coliseum, The Crossing and Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
“[This Thanksgiving] I’m thankful for being alive and healthy. And for the Mission…for all the shelters that they have and this food. I haven’t seen my family in a while so I’m grateful to have somewhere to go and someplace warm to be.”
Michael, 48th Avenue Center guest
Putting a “Turkey on Every Table”
Putting a “Turkey on Every Table” is just one way you change lives. It’s no secret that this year has been hard for our country, city and local communities, but it’s also proven that when we come together, we can provide true change and restoration for the most vulnerable among us. The emergency services and long-term programs offered here at the Mission are more essential now than ever before. With each quality Thanksgiving meal, you’ve helped us provide hope and dignity to a neighbor experiencing homelessness.
Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box
Entering the holiday season in the midst of COVID-19, it is even more important to keep the Mission’s doors open to support those who are struggling. Despite the pandemic, our community has come together, helping us put together 3,000 boxes of food to distribute to families and individuals in need.
The Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box event provides a traditional Thanksgiving meal to individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Despite a snowy day, each person who came to Empower Field at Mile High on Tuesday was greeted by our staff and volunteers who cheerfully filled each car with a turkey and a box of traditional Thanksgiving meal items.
Special Thanksgiving Meals
This year, we served more than 800 Thanksgiving meals to our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness and poverty. Our team of chefs prepared Thanksgiving favorites such as turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and the Mission’s special mashed potato balls.
Want the Recipes?
Follow along with our chefs and make your own mashed potato balls, pecan pie, turkey this year.
Turkey Drive Fundraisers
This year, we also started our very first online Turkey Drive Fundraising campaign, and fundraisers in the community blew past their original goal, raising more than $20,000 for turkeys.
Thank you to everyone who started a fundraiser this year!
Across our facilities, you helped us provide special Thanksgiving experiences that lead to hope and lasting change. This is made possible because of generous supporters like you. Thank you.
Written by: Linneya Gardner, Content and Photography Intern
