For many, Thanksgiving is a day of indulgence, spending time with family, and watching football, and that’s okay. After all, the purpose of the holiday is to celebrate our blessings. But before you enjoy the fruit of your labors, consider sparing a few moments to do something for someone else, too — it’s an even better way to appreciate the good things in your life. Here are five places you can volunteer during the days leading up to (and including) Thanksgiving. Even if you can’t make it out of the house to give your time and efforts, all of these organizations are accepting monetary donations as well and if you really want to make a difference get involved year-round with an organization that speaks to your heart, and next year someone will be giving thanks for you.
The Denver Rescue Mission makes turkeys its mission every November with its Turkey on Every Table campaign. This year, the goal is to collect a whopping 15,000 birds to help feed thousands of hungry people in Colorado.
Ways to help:
- Drop off frozen turkeys (12+ lbs.) at our Lawrence Street Shelter (1130 Park Ave. West Denver, CO 80205) or Ministry Outreach Center (5725 East 39th Avenue Denver, CO 80207).
- Help spread the word by sharing the Turkey Drive with your friends online! #GetGobbled
- Can’t drop off a turkey? No problem! You can still help. A $15-20 donation equals about one large turkey.
- Start your own turkey drive with your friends or coworkers to make an even bigger impact!
The Mission is a daytime shelter that provides clients with food, clothing, job training, employment assistance, spiritual guidance, referrals and a safe place for relaxation and refreshment. They rely on volunteers to make sure mealtimes run smoothly and clients receive the best nutriment and support. With your help, they can serve even more of those in need and offer them hope. Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b4aaea82ba31-mission to sign up for a meal shift. You can sign up for one or more mealtimes when your schedule allows. If it is your first-time volunteering with us, please sign up for a time and then we will contact you to get started. A meal shift includes preparation, service, and clean up for a meal.
The Parker Task Force provides Thanksgiving dinner to many families in need in our community. To help you can either donate a food basket or money.
- Food Baskets – Compile complete Thanksgiving dinners that families can prepare at home, packaged in baskets/tubs/boxes for a family of 4-6 people. Deliver to the Parker Task Force building at 19105 Longs Way between 9:00 am & noon the week prior to Thanksgiving on the days of food bank operations: Tuesday, November 19th, Wednesday, November 20th, Friday, November 22nd or Saturday, November 23rd. The meals will be distributed that week as clients shop at the food bank, and also on Sunday afternoon November 24th.
What to provide for a complete Thanksgiving dinner:
| Frozen turkey | Aluminum turkey pan | Canned Green Beans | Butter | Stuffing |
| Cream of Mushroom Soup | Dinner Rolls | Potatoes | Sweet Potatoes | Pie |
| Gravy, packets or jars | Canned Fruit | Cool Whip | Chicken broth | Cranberry Sauce |
- Monetary or Gift Card Donations – They appreciate holiday donations in any amount, but they ask you to consider that a Thanksgiving dinner basket donation is valued at approximately $50.00. Checks may be made payable to the Parker Task Force (memo: Thanksgiving) and mailed to the Parker Task Force at 19105 Longs Way, Parker CO 80134. You may also make a contribution using a credit card on PayPal through the Parker Task Force website: www.parkertaskforce.org. Any excess funds will be used to provide limited financial assistance to clients, for example, the Task Force may help pay utilities to prevent shut-off or purchase a needed prescription. The Task Force can also use gift cards to local grocery stores. These are used to purchase perishable food for the food bank, for example, milk, eggs, cheese, meat, and produce. Please contact the Task Force Office at foodbank@parkertaskforce.org or leave a message at 303-841-3460 with any questions or to sponsor families for this project.
The Denver Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen has been providing meals in Denver for 30 years and is an all-volunteer operation. During the winter months, the number of people seeking meals increases significantly and the need for volunteer shoppers, cooks, and servers are always wanted. If interested in helping out, email your availability and contact information to suelane1@comcast.net.
They rely on volunteers and financial donors to continue the work of the Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen. All contributions are tax-deductible and gratefully accepted. They have no paid staff and put contributions to work feeding those who need this help.
Please send checks to their mailing address:
Denver Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen, Inc.
c/o Mary Romine
P.O. Box 27255
Denver, Colorado 80227
Spooky Art Class with Elementary School Students
Marianna Bagge, Director of Community Outreach and Recruitment
Last week we created spider webs with spiders (donation thanks to Miss
McCormick) in Art class and this week we will be doing skeletons. These
pieces are in preparation for Halloween. Decorations will be going home
before Halloween but till then Miss Debbie gets to enjoy them in the
classroom.
Last Thursday we had two visitors in our Art class; Miss Carrol enjoying
the excitement and Lucy, Miss Mickey’s daughter. They both seemed to enjoy
our class. Our four boys work so hard in creating art pieces in the class,
it seems that we run out of time each time we get together for art.
Attention parents and grandparents,
This year for the all school art project we will be making a Colorado Mountain scenery of plastic bottle caps. YES, BOTTLE CAPS! We are needing a lot of plastic bottle caps for this project. Any size and any color will do!
Please help us create this wonderful piece to be placed on a wall at our school.
Thank you for helping us,
Marianna