Planning for and serving upwards of 1500 Thanksgiving meals is an undertaking. But it is one that Good Shepherd takes on with hospitality, compassion, and gratitude for having the help and resources to be able to provide a holiday meal for homeless and vulnerable members of our community.

Can you imagine preparing 1,500 turkey dinners for your guests this Thanksgiving?

Good Shepherd plans to do exactly that – with a lot of help. A wonderful, compassionate community makes Good Shepherd’s hospitality possible. Prep for the meal on Thanksgiving Monday begins months before the date. Good Shepherd’s two refrigerated vans shuttle through the city, picking up donated food. Co-workers in the kitchen make a shopping list for items not donated. Other co-workers call and schedule volunteers. It takes more than 50 volunteers to serve Thanksgiving dinner.

Demand for meals has been growing. Even people who work can’t keep up with the cost of living these days! It’s even harder for people with disabilities and seniors, struggling to get by on fixed incomes. Good Shepherd’s benefactors, volunteers, and coworkers work hard to make sure no-one is turned away hungry.

This Thanksgiving, I hope you will be celebrating the harvest and the blessings of the past year with friends and family. On that day, at 412 Queen St. E., Good Shepherd will be celebrating too, with gratitude and joy, as we share Thanksgiving dinner with people would otherwise go hungry. Celebrate your blessings this Thanksgiving by sharing them with someone in need!

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Thanksgiving Reflections