“Thanksgiving is a family event . . . we try to make the atmosphere as traditional as possible.”
—Daniel J. Doty

A traditional meal with turkey and all the trimmings awaits more than 350 homeless or poor Kansas Citians at City Union Mission’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. The event will be held Tuesday, November 24 at 7:30 p.m. at City Union Mission Men’s Center located at 10th and Troost in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
 
   As it does every year, the Mission is doing all it can to create a memorable holiday feast.  “Thanksgiving is a family event,” said Daniel J. Doty, City Union Mission’s executive director.  “We try to make the atmosphere as traditional as possible—folks will be served at tables rather than going through the food line.  We’ll have decorations and musical entertainment during the meal, lots of interaction between our volunteers and guests, and homemade pies for dessert.  Our ‘family’ is coming home for the holiday.”

Turkeys for the event are donated by Honeysuckle White through its More to Share program.  Northland Cathedral will provide the additional items on the menu, and church volunteers will be on hand to help prepare and serve the meal.  The Mission will also distribute more than 215 holiday food baskets to low-income families and shut-ins, helping to make an otherwise bleak holiday both memorable and nutritious.  Honeysuckle White provides turkeys for the food baskets, as well.

“At City Union Mission, we serve the whole community,” Doty said.  “Sometimes that means we make it easier for people in need to stay in their own homes and not have to come to the Mission for assistance.”