Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and many local charities, churches and organizations are trying to provide a good meal for the needy.
The following charity events will be taking place in the Historic Triangle on or before Thanksgiving:
Mayflower Marathon food drive: The 21st annual food drive begins Friday at 5:30 a.m and ends Sunday at 3 p.m., according to a release from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. While there are food drop-off locations in Virginia Beach and Suffolk, the Farm Fresh at 4511 John Tyler Highway will serve as a satellite drop-off station for Historic Triangle residents. Canned food and monetary donations are welcome, according to the release, and all proceeds go toward providing meals to people who need them.
Williamsburg House of Mercy, 10 Harrison Avenue, will be distributing pre-packaged meals to the needy Tuesday and Wednesday. While corporate alliances have supplied food, the House of Mercy needs volunteers Monday to pack and sort, according to Executive Director Shannon Woloszynowski. Around 250 families have signed up to receive food from House of Mercy. Monday’s activities begin at 9:30 a.m.
The entirely volunteer-run non-profit FISH Inc. is partnering with the Copper Fox Distillery for a fundraiser Saturday, according to a press release. The “Spirit of Thanks” will be held at Copper Fox between 6 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, and guests will receive a Copper Fox glass and one signature cocktail. Donations of pantry items, clothing, household items and money will be accepted
Bruton Parish Church is also hosting a food drive benefitting FISH, according to Hillary Cooley, communications director for the parish. Parishioners are asked to stop by the Bruton Parish on Duke of Gloucester Street and pick up a bag, which they will then fill with non-perishable food items. Donations should be delivered to Bruton Parish during the Wednesday, Nov. 22 service at 6 p.m. Volunteers are also needed for Friday to deliver the bags to FISH.
New Zion Baptist Church is hosting its sixth annual Community Harvest Feast between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, according to Pastor Rob White. The church will offer a Thanksgiving meal to those who show up; residents who live in area shelters, or who are elderly or disabled, may be recipients of boxed meals. White said the food has already been raised for the meal, but monetary donations can be made to the church.
Avalon Center will be providing Thanksgiving meals to those staying in the shelter, according to Communications Director Priscilla Caldwell. “We do have dozens of people right now that are in our care, and we like to provide them with all they need to brighten the holidays,” Caldwell said. Non-perishable food items and gift certificates to stores like Walmart, Target, and supermarkets will be accepted at Avalon’s outreach office on Ironbound Road, or by contacting Caldwell at [email protected] or 757-258-5544.
Students at the College of William & Mary are also supporting those in need in the surrounding community. The Black Law Students Organization’s annual Thanksgiving Basket Competition supports Campus Kitchen’s Turkeypalooza in raising food for Thanksgiving. First-year law students in BLSA break into teams, raise canned food and organize the cans into displays. The displays are judged, awards are given, and the canned food is then provided to the Campus Kitchen.
“We had a really great turnout, and some really creative displays,” said BLSA Community Service Chair Deborah Goodwin, who added the basket competition raised more than 2,400 items this year. “Everything from a lighthouse to a throne with one of our deans sitting in it.”
“It’s a really fun event, but it’s a great way to help those in need.”
