Dear Friends,
At The Bowery Mission, we’re looking forward to our 145th Thanksgiving celebration in community. It’s a mix of the familiar faces we see every day and those who return just for this special occasion. It’s heartening to be with our daily guests, for whom this day can be so difficult, but also to reconnect with former guests who come back, sharing about their newfound stability, like living in their own apartments for years. It’s a beautiful time filled with stories of redemption and compassion.
We think of what God calls us to do when inviting and serving others. Jesus had a knack for telling the Pharisees exactly what they needed to hear. As the religious leaders of their day, the Pharisees often came across as self-righteous and judgmental. But when Jesus dined at one of their homes, he talked about humility. Then he went on to gently chide them for their guest list, which mostly included people of prominence.
Jesus basically said, no, when you throw a dinner party, open your doors to neighbors in need. That’s pleasing to the Lord. That’s the righteous thing to do.
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” — Luke 14:13-14 NIV
We do that every day here at The Bowery Mission, as struggling neighbors come to us looking for a meal, shelter, help and hope. And we’re going to do it a lot in the coming weeks. Our team estimates we’ll be serving nearly 60,000 meals this Thanksgiving season!
Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, we’re up to the challenge. But it’s so much more than meals: Those sit-down dinners, served with love, can encourage a person down a path toward wholeness and healing.
I’m grateful so many of you are joining us on this journey. God bless you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving.
With deep appreciation,
James Winans, CEO
Hear from our guests what your compassionate support provides during Thanksgiving:
“I came here for the food, to meet people, and have good conversations. The Bowery Mission is caring. When you come here, you get love. They don’t judge. It’s just very caring.” — Rich
“The Bowery Mission makes me feel better. They helped me get back on my feet. The staff is understanding. When you ask for direction, they tell you which way to go.” — Gregory & Leshana
“This is where you find people sharing. There’s a lot of love here, and there’s always good spirits that surround you, so you feel welcomed. I feel gratitude when I’m here.” — Roberto
Gearing up for Thanksgiving 2024
Join The Bowery Mission for our cherished, time-honored tradition: the longest-running Thanksgiving meal celebration in New York City! We’re still weeks away, but already working hard to be ready for each person who comes to our Red Doors in need. Learn more about Thanksgiving at the Mission.
Helping neighbors in need find help and hope
Kelly’s relationship with her mom was one for the ages. She was right at her mom’s side, caring for her through her last days. “I hit rock bottom when my mom died,” she says. Worse, she soon suffered abuse from the family she lived with. No longer feeling safe, she eventually found her way to The Bowery Mission and the support she needed. See how Kelly overcame her crisis and found hope through our community and programs — thanks to friends like you.
Looking for ways to give back this Thanksgiving?
Donate
Every day, The Bowery Mission serves about 1,000 meals to neighbors in need, and any one of these meals can lead to a new life. Your generous compassion will keep our Red Doors open to provide meals and other critical care.
Volunteer
Our Thanksgiving Day volunteer opportunities are extremely limited and not open to the general public. But we need help beforehand and throughout the year — join us! You can also find a list of our most urgent needs. Learn more and register.
Start a fundraiser
Employers, teams and community groups can join together and multiply their impact in support of The Bowery Mission and the people we serve. Get ideas and next steps for corporate fundraising initiatives.