The busiest time of the year
The Bowery Mission hosted its cherished, time-honored tradition: the longest-running Thanksgiving meal celebration in New York City! We believe in the power of community, which is why we extended a heartfelt invitation to anyone without a home to join us around our family table on Thanksgiving Day. Our staff, volunteers and ovens worked around the clock to ensure anyone and everyone had a place to enjoy a warm meal and share in the holiday spirit. Guests enjoyed live music and received practical care kits filled with hygiene items and winter accessories. We know that a special meal at the Mission this time of the year can be the first step toward a new life out of homelessness, addiction or whatever need our neighbors face this season.
Photo credit: Keri Tan Photography & Josie Kielstra
The impact of your support
Thanks to dedicated supporters, donors and volunteers, The Bowery Mission’s Red Doors stay open 365 days a year to provide meals, shelter, clothing, showers and more. It’s more important now than ever, as more than 130,000 people are sleeping in public shelters each night in our city, and an estimated 1 in 6 people in New York City is food insecure. We are grateful for compassionate friends like you who are showing our neighbors in need that they are not alone and that someone cares.
During the months of October and November, we served 60,000 meals at multiple campuses throughout Manhattan. On Thanksgiving Day alone, we provided over 2,350 meals and over 1,000 practical care kits with hygiene items and winter accessories.
Weeks in advance, we started working to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for each guest. This included 250 turkeys, 4,000 pounds of potatoes and 500 pies! Everything was home-cooked, prepared with love by our faithful staff, supporters and volunteers.
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner was hosted for overnight emergency shelter guests at our Tribeca Campus.
Our Residential Program clients at our West Harlem Campus also prepared and enjoyed Thanksgiving meals in community.
Our Mont Lawn City Camp program distributed 142 turkeys and meal kits to families in East Harlem and the South Bronx. Each festive meal kit included pantry staples and a grocery gift card to help families create a memorable holiday feast.
A Thanksgiving story
After 30 years of teaching and coaching, Tony’s life was turned upside down when the pandemic led to an unexpected job loss. He found his way to The Bowery Mission for hot meals — and even joined us for our Thanksgiving Day celebration last year! What began as a need for food soon turned into a journey of healing, forgiveness and new beginnings.
Ways to support The Bowery Mission throughout the year
Give financially
Donate towards meals, hospitality and other critical care. A meal is just $3.49 each. Think about how many people you can help with your special gift today! It is only possible because of friends like you.
Fundraise
Launch a fundraising campaign to help supply thousands of meals and other care! Our easy online platform will help you engage your networks in caring for our neighbors in need. Discover more ideas for corporate and community fundraisers here.
Volunteer
Join us in our work to empower others! Prepare or serve meals, tutor and mentor clients or participate in skill-based opportunities.
Thank you for your support
We can’t do it alone. Preparing meals for this many people not only requires a lot of effort, it requires a lot of resources. Your generous heart helps welcome each person who comes to our Red Doors with love, encouragement and hope at a time when they need it most.
Sponsors
As Thanksgiving is the busiest time of the year for The Bowery Mission, we are so grateful to all of our supporters and leaders in the community who make this care possible.
