It’s the holiday season: lights are going up, the weather is getting colder, and families are coming together. There is something about this time of year that adds joy and excitement in the everyday life. Here at Water Street, we get to see first hand an outpouring of love and generosity for the community we serve. It’s humbling to witness that on any given day through the holiday season, someone is on campus either dropping off food or coats, giving a monetary donation or volunteering a few extra hours. One of the most heart-warming holiday events to see is the number of turkeys we receive from businesses across the county. Over the course of a couple weeks, more than 850 turkeys will be given to us by GIANT, Stauffers, Dart Container and a group of small business.
Some of those 850+ turkeys will be used in our kitchen to create delicious meals, but the majority will be given out to our community. Roughly 600 Thanksgiving meal boxes will be given out that will include a turkey and all the fixings needed to make a Thanksgiving meal. Families who wouldn’t normally be able to provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal will now be able to share a holiday meal together. They will be able to celebrate the season and enjoy each other’s company in a special way that only the holidays can create. It’s incredible to see the business community rally behind our mission and donate hundreds of turkeys which spreads that special, holiday joy into our community in the form of a Thanksgiving meal box. We are so grateful for the business relationships that engage with our mission and want to bless those who are hurting and at-risk in our community this holiday season.