Your friends at Denver Rescue Mission are wishing you a happy Thanksgiving!
Having you, our faithful supporters in this community, alongside us as we provide food and fellowship for our hungry and lonely neighbors, has made a huge impact.
2021 Turkey Drive
Every year, supporters like you partner with us to collect turkeys we use throughout the holiday season to bring hope and relief to people in need. This year, the Denver community donated more than 16,000 turkeys (as of Tuesday evening).
Your donations of turkeys and other Thanksgiving foods was just the start of making a difference in the lives of individuals and families at the Mission. By coming together as a community, you have continued to make our work possible in bringing people out of homelessness and into self-sufficiency.
“I want to give back because I was in their situation previously—I was homeless for three or four months. By volunteering, my hope is that somebody else will give back and give somebody else hope so they can overcome whatever it is that they’re going through. For me it’s all about having gratitude and not only encouraging people but spreading God’s message in what He’s done for us as far as salvation and redemption.”
Scott, Turkey Drive volunteer
Fundraisers Change Lives
A unique feature of our Turkey Drive was the opportunity for supporters like you to start your very own fundraiser to raise funds with your friends and family.
This year, Fundraisers and their supporters raised nearly $10,000 for the Turkey Drive (by Wednesday morning).
Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box
Our annual Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box distribution was a huge success.
Unlike previous snowy years, this year we got to hold our Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box event in the sunshine! This event provides a traditional Thanksgiving meal to individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Each person who came to Empower Field at Mile High on Tuesday received a turkey and a box of traditional Thanksgiving meal items. In total, we distributed 2,662 Thanksgiving boxes!
We couldn’t have done it without the generosity of our volunteers and staff.
Sharing a Thanksgiving Meal
Whether they are struggling to provide a meal for themselves, without family or loved ones or trying to survive the often-harsh Colorado weather, Thanksgiving can be a challenging time for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. That’s why serving a hot, hand-prepared meal is one of the most important things we can do.
Thanks to our team of chefs, Thanksgiving favorites such as turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie were enjoyed by men and women experiencing homelessness at our Lawrence Street Community Center, 48th Avenue Center, The Crossing and Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
In total, we served roughly 1,000 Thanksgiving meals, all made possible by supporters like you.
“I’ve been homeless for 38 years, since I was 12 years old. I’ve come [to the Mission] a lot over the years for Thanksgiving. I love it because I really don’t have family. I have my mom and my brother, but my mom is in assisted living and my brother has brain damage, and my friend I was supposed to have Thanksgiving with quit talking to me yesterday. I came here because it’s tough out here, it really, really is and I like to come here for the community.”
Leonda, Lawrence Street Shelter Guest
You helped us provide more than just a meal this Thanksgiving. You have put smiles on faces and hope in people’s hearts who needed it most. This Thanksgiving and all those to come, we thank you for joining us in changing lives in the name of Christ.
Written by: Linneya Gardner, Content Specialist
