51 years strong. Durham Rescue Mission hosts annual feast, free cloths giveaway, activities for kids

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- For 51 years, the Durham Rescue Mission has had a heart for the community organizing its annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner. More than two thousand meals were served to the homeless, hungry and those in need.

It was a meal Adoniyah Knockee otherwise wouldn't have had. He was among many who attended the dinner who is homeless and grateful.

"The Lord has blessed us with abundance. Yes, he has. The people of Durham are wonderful," said Adoniyah Knockee.

The feast included a full course traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.

"It's not my only meal. It's a secondary meal and I'm thankful for it," said Terrence Moore.

There were games, some origami, bounce houses and even a free outdoor boutique offering up gently used clothes.

"He's going into his toddler years and I mainly need pants for him," said Emi Wise. "It's good to see organizations giving back to the community. A lot of places don't do that anymore and people need that nowadays."

The need is why Ernie Mills Sr. and his wife started this effort 51 years ago. He returned to the dinner to witness how much the tradition has grown.

"Just coming and talking with the people that makes my Thanksgiving," he said.

His son Ernie Mills Jr. has helped keep the tradition alive. About 700 volunteers helped contribute to this cause.

"We have Christians and non-Christians working side by side to help their neighbors. It's one of the few places in our country that we can see unity still," he said.

Organizers acknowledged that the face of hunger has changed. It's why this feast was critical this year.

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"Normal people struggling to get along like everybody else. Inflation is what it is," said Durham Rescue Mission CEO Rob Tart.