WASHINGTON — On this day of thanks not everyone was sitting at home waiting
for turkey dinner. Instead, some were out serving turkey dinner to those less
fortunate.

An army of volunteers turned out at Central Union Mission, a men’s homeless
facility in Northwest. The mission has been serving the city’s poor for 130
years, “and I think we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving every year,” says David
Treadwell, mission executive director.

“In terms of volunteers we will have about 250 throughout the course
of the day,” he says.

The mission was providing two holiday meals on Thanksgiving Day, the first at
noon and the second one at 5p.m.

“We’ve been cooking (about 30-40) turkeys since Monday,” says Treadwell. The
mission was expecting to feed about 350 people.

But before dinner got underway, Charity Jackson was dropping off bags and bags of
food donations.

“I got right out of bed and went over to the store,” she says.

Jackson says next year she wants to help serve Thanksgiving dinner at the
mission.

Sally Cox, chief financial officer with the mission, says, “The need is
definitely bigger this year than last year.” And as she looked in the dining
room as Thanksgiving dinner was being served with all the trimmings she said,
“It’s a tsunami of generosity. It’s amazing how many people come down here for
Thanksgiving to help us. We picked up 96 turkeys this morning that someone just
donated to us which we need.”

This homeless shelter for men can house 170 each night, but can accommodate 190
when it’s cold outside says Cox. The mission is Christian based, but you don‘t
have to be Christian to received any of its services.

Aiesha Gurley, from Southeast, was grateful to be here serving dinner. She says,
“It makes my heart feel good and it gives me the pleasure to serve someone who’s
less fortunate than me.”

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