Helping Hand Mission in Raleigh needs donations for Thanksgiving
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- With just days until Thanksgiving, the Helping Hand Mission of Raleigh is putting out its last call for turkeys because donations are extremely low this year.
The Raleigh-based organization known for aiding Wake County's low income, elderly, homeless, disabled and handicapped communities is in the 20th year of its Thanksgiving love basket distribution drive. However, it only has half of what is needed.
"Right now we have about 420 names all together," Executive Director Sylvia Wiggins told ABC 11. "We need turkeys. We need any kind of meat products. We love Stovetop stuffing and anything we can put together a traditional Thanksgiving meal."
The basket distribution is scheduled next Wednesday. Volunteers are stuffing boxes full of a week's worth of groceries and non-perishables in addition to the holiday main course. Wiggins said they only have about half of the supplies they need, and it's not just turkey that they are lacking. In years past, more local farmers have donated fresh produce, but this year those donations are down too.
"Some of them retired. Some of them are not doing it right now and it's just been kind of rough," Wiggins said.
Wiggins said the need is great, and this shortfall is even more reason to dig deep and give.
"A family told me they're hungry today," said Wiggins. "They couldn't afford to wait until Thanksgiving. So it's just that dire."
If you would like to sponsor a family, donate or volunteer with the Helping Hand Mission's effort contact them:
623 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610
Phone: (919) 829-8048
Fax: (919) 828-4849
contactus@helpinghandmission.org
