As Thanksgiving nears, it is the perfect time to give back, express gratitude to loved ones, and leave a positive impact on the world. Here are some ways to give back this holiday.
Every Thanksgiving, Wanda Montgomery leads an annual food drive at the African Methodist Episcopal Church to give back to the community. After her son, DeShawn Milliken, a former Garfield bulldog, passed away, Montgomery decided to start this tradition in his honor. This year marks the 14th anniversary of the drive. “It’s my tradition and I plan on doing it for as long as I’m living,” Montgomery said. To help support, volunteers contact the church to schedule a time to put together food baskets and donate items like eggs, butter, sugar and more. This tradition helps feed homeless people all around Seattle and provides them a hearty and much needed Thanksgiving meal. Montgomery encouraged anyone interested in volunteering to “Call the church…we got a spot for everybody that can come and help.”
Another way to give back this Thanksgiving is through WELD—a 501(C)3 nonprofit that helps people returning home from prison or recovering from addiction. On Thanksgiving Day, they host their annual WELD Seattle Thanksgiving Feast. Reentering society with a criminal record creates huge barriers to finding employment and housing. In 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 77% of former prisoners were rearrested within five years of their release. WELD’s mission is to change this by offering temporary housing, employment opportunities, and ways for former prisoners and addicts to reconnect with their community. WELD’s annual Seattle Thanksgiving Feast fosters a sense of community and provides residents with warm and filling holiday meals. Volunteers can help by preparing a dish at home and bringing it to the housing facility between 10AM and 2PM on Thanksgiving day. Additionally, volunteers can help to set-up, serve, and clean up the feast. Search “WELD Seattle Thanksgiving volunteering” for more information on how to give back this Thanksgiving.
Similar to WELD, the Seattle Union Gospel, a nonprofit ministry that cares for homeless people throughout Seattle, also strives to give back to the community this Thanksgiving. They began their work in 1932 to help and feed those who were suffering during The Great D
epression. Seattle Union Gospel aims to break the cycle of homelessness and addiction by meeting urgent physical needs, building relationships, and offering long-term recovery programs. Their efforts work to restore dignity to those affected by homelessness and help transition them towards healthy, thriving lives. This Thanksgiving, Seattle Union Gospel is aiming to serve over one thousand meals to anyone in need and in long term recovery programs. They hope to provide 1500 turkeys to those in need, and are currently accepting 15-20 pound frozen turkeys as donations until November 27. Those interested in donating turkeys should call (206) 723-0767 for more information. Additional turkeys will go to families and local churches in need of thanksgiving meals.
