Volunteers in line ready to help people on Thanksgiving Day.

 What was the end result? More than 6,000 volunteers delivered Thanksgiving food to 6,083 families representing 25,869 people. 

One year ago, the Mission Arlington^® team began getting ready for Thanksgiving day. As food donations came in throughout the year, we identified and separated out Thanksgiving food and set it aside.

As summer turned into Fall, Thanksgiving donations from the community began to trickle in – turkeys and Thanksgiving food. We never cease to be amazed at the generosity and the support of this community. When our Fall Festival finished at the end of October, our thoughts and efforts turned in earnest toward Thanksgiving Day.  Individuals, families, and teams of all kinds collected food, then brought it to us. Those same teams, along with many others helped us to sort the food and build more than 5,000 boxes for delivery.

On Thanksgiving morning the day was cool and clear. Early in the day, our team arrived early to move the trucks into place for the day. By 5:00 a.m., the rest of the staff arrived to finish the preparations. By 7:30, when volunteers began arriving, we were ready.

More than 6,000 volunteers drove into downtown Arlington on a crisp, beautiful Thanksgiving morning. The energy and enthusiasm of the people – young and old, newcomers, and some who had been doing this for years – was palpable.  Laughter was in the air.  Tillie spoke to the group, then led those close enough to hear in a prayer of Thanksgiving for the day.

What was the end result? More than 6,000 volunteers delivered Thanksgiving food to 6,083 families representing 25,869 people.

As many of you left for the day, you called out “Thanks for the blessing,” hardly recognizing your own role in the efforts to bless others. Again and again, you affirmed the truth that we are more blessed when we give than when we receive.

As we closed the doors on the day and headed out to our own Thanksgiving meals, the image was strong –  of families all across our community sitting around their kitchen tables, enjoying Thanksgiving with their own family, and giving thanks to God.  All the glory belongs to Him.

We are thankful for the privilege of serving this community alongside each of you. We hope your own Thanksgiving was truly blessed.