Durham Rescue Mission hosts Thanksgiving lunch, carnival games and prizes for families

Durham Rescue Mission served its annual Community Dinner on Thursday – and it meant prepping 150 turkeys for 2,389 Thanksgiving meals served.

This is the 48th year that Durham Rescue Mission has hosted this celebration for the community. The event started at noon at 1201 E. Main St., and will include a traditional Thanksgiving meal served to all guests in attendance.

Attendees will receive a full Thanksgiving meal, a take-home bag of groceries, and clothing items. The first 1,000 people who showed up received a $50 gift card to the Rescue Mission thrift stores.

Tony Pass has stayed for the last several months at the Durham Rescue Mission.

"I think because COVID-19 messed everything up, the inflation rates are crazy," Pass said.

Pass has worked 12 hours per day to try to pay his rent.

"I could not cover," he said. "I had no money to myself. I was really struggling."

Darrell Williams has also had a difficult couple of years.

"My wife died of COVID [on] Feb. 14, [2021]," Williams said. "Coming up will be two years."

Williams remains hopeful for the future, and thankful for the support.

"[I'm not] where I was, and [I'm not] where i wanna be, but I'm going to get there."

The need is greater than ever, according to the mission, who says they've seen a surge in the number of people looking for help this year. By comparison, this year they have 470 clients versus 360 last year around this time.

The Queen family has made volunteering at the Thanksgiving event a tradition.

"It's the least that we can do for our community," Keisha Queen said. "It's a great experience for my children to see the community and help out."