Rescue Mission brings holiday smiles to Raleigh, Durham
Volunteers in Raleigh and Durham gave thanks on Thanksgiving Thursday by making sure that everyone who needed a meal got one.
The Raleigh Rescue mission prepared for days and cooked over 200 turkeys for its Gobbles to Go outreach program. About 100 volunteers delivered more than 800 meals.
It was the fourth year that Scott and Becky Myers and their children Landon, Brooke, Brielle, and Karis volunteered. Even dog Moose came along for the ride.
"I think this is just an opportunity to serve just as a family and to think of others ahead of ourselves," said Scott.
And in Durham, more than 1,500 people attended the Durham Rescue Mission's annual Thanksgiving meal Thursday.
The noon lunch was for the homeless and those in need and is open for the community.
Volunteers worked through the night to cook 125 turkeys and 200 pounds of pork for barbecue.
More than 500 volunteers helped throughout the day.
In addition, they delivered Thanksgiving food for the Meals on Wheels program.
They also gave out more than 700 gift cards worth $20 to be used at any three locations of the Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Store.
Volunteers handed out bags of groceries and winter coats.
"It's a big blessing to them because a lot of the people that come here to this Thanksgiving dinner don't have the means to have a meal," said Melvin Wrenn, who works at the Durham Rescue Mission. Wrenn said he was an addict who went to the Rescue Mission to turn his life around.
"I'm thankful for my salvation," he said when asked what he's thankful for on this Thanksgiving.
WATCH: Thankful hearts at the Durham Rescue Mission
Janet Fortin is another one of those in need. She said she wouldn't be able to afford a Thanksgiving meal for her 2-year-old son otherwise.
"I mean I do have a job, but I got a baby I have to take care of by myself, on my own," Fortin said. "I'm a single parent, so it's really hard, so this right here will help us out a lot."
After losing work as a laborer and receiving an eviction notice, a hot plate here is all Reyna Rivera said she has.
When asked what she's most thankful for this Thanksgiving, Rivera said "this meal I'm about to eat here and the clothes that I'm about to get because I really just recently lost everything, so I'm so thankful for this place right now."
"Reflecting on how we've been blessed with the things that we have, and not to be taking so much for granted because there are others who are in need of so much," Celia Tate, a volunteer, said.
It's why the Ketner family brought their two kids along.
"It helps them to realize that they have a lot and that they are blessed in many many ways," volunteer Kelli Ketner, said. "The holidays are about not just receiving but the happiness that you can get by giving to others."
"I'm really grateful for this," Fortin said. " really am and I bet you my son, if he could talk, he would say the same thing."
