Raleigh Rescue Mission to deliver more than 800 meals on Thanksgiving

“It ain’t been easy, I’ll tell you that”, said David Cunningham, who was picking up a box with his grand-daughter, “If it wasn’t for the mission, she wouldn’t have a very good Thanksgiving”.

The Mission’s organizer for the event, Suzanne Williams said all are welcome. “We’ll be ready to welcome all who come through the door!”

Not only do volunteers serve several hundred people for a sit-down meal, but to deliver hundreds more to people at their homes. Patrons will enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and break bread with someone they have never met from different economic backgrounds.

The banquet will be served at noon on Wednesday, November 25, at the Mission’s main facility at 715 West State Street in Rockford.

The meal, which is free and open to the public, will run from noon to 3 p.m. Guests are welcome to dine at the Rescue Mission, but carryout meals are also available. “They will be served by volunteers dressed in white shirts, black pants or skirts to resemble fine dining wait staff. The Rescue Mission dining hall will look like a five-star restaurant with fine china, polished silverware and cloth napkins, all on attractive table cloths”.

Skyland Restaurant, meanwhile, will once again give away 3,000 boxes of hot turkey dinners with all of the fixings and iced tea on Thanksgiving.

The meal continues until 2 p.m. Thursday. The meals are for takeout only.

The event started over 20 years ago at various locations including the Civic Center.

“We’re seeing an increase in people coming to the Mission to get assistance”.

It takes more than 100 volunteers, and about 100 turkeys, to make it happen.