Thanksgiving donors to the rescue
Published: November 11, 2005
A day after the Denver Rescue Mission revealed that its warehouse was down to one turkey, a donor stepped forward Thursday and pledged 1,000 birds to help make sure the mission’s traditional Thanksgiving banquet will carry on.
Another donor pledged 100 frozen birds. Others delivered canned goods. Some gave cash.
Metro-area residents responded quickly after The Denver Post reported the mission’s plight Thursday. Organizers had been fretting that they would not be able to provide a good holiday meal to the hundreds of needy families and individuals who depend on them.
Now, they’re busy taking inventory as the donations keep pouring in.
“We’ve had people driving by and dropping off turkey after turkey,” said Greta Ritchey, a mission spokeswoman. “Things are really looking up.”
An anonymous donor called the mission and arranged through a local grocery chain to have 1,000 turkeys delivered. They are expected to arrive Wednesday.
“They’re having to bring in turkeys from out of state because he’s ordered so many,” Ritchey said.
The rescue mission hopes to collect 4,000 frozen turkeys to meet its demands through Christmas. Other charitable organizations and businesses reported an increase in giving.
Debbie Bechtol of Aurora and her friend Steve Poirier, dropped off 18 turkeys, 10 pounds of rice and 20 cans of cranberries at Rosa Linda’s Mexican Cafe in northwest Denver.
Rosa Linda’s has hosted a Thanksgiving banquet for the needy for the past 20 years. The cafe, like the mission, had been struggling with donations this year.
“I think we put a dent in things,” Poirier said. “It’s no big deal; people just need help.”
Bechtol’s boss gave her the day off so she could buy the supplies - she split the cost with Poirier - and deliver them. The pair also dropped off items at the mission.
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