Current News at the Mission

5,095 Articles of Clothing Distributed Causing Clothing Shortage

The Durham Rescue Mission hosted their Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner feeding 895 homeless, hungry, and needy men, women, and children of the Triangle. This event was held outdoors at the Mission’s Men’s Campus located at 1201 East Main Street. The Mission’s current dining room will only accommodate 80 people so there is no other choice but to conduct this event outside.

Mission staff and volunteers were thankful for a beautiful sunny day for this year’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner even though the early morning hours were cold as volunteers finished up cooking the 75 turkeys for the meal. This event is a tremendous help for the needy as they received a free, hot meal, free clothing and winter coats, and free bags of groceries. In addition, there were lots of fun activities for the children.

The Mission’s Executive Director, Ernie Mills, said “I am filled with joy to see how our community has come together to provide this wonderful meal for those who are less fortunate. Almost 500 volunteers have given of their time to be here today to ensure the neediest in our community are not forgotten on this special day. This event has brought together the “have’s” and the “have not’s” for a great meal and time of fellowship. Times are tough, but we all still have much to be thankful for!”

This year the Durham Rescue Mission has distributed significant amounts of clothing to the needy and impoverished. At today's event, more clothing was given to the less-fortunate of the community then any other Thanksgiving Community Dinner! Help is needed to replenish the clothing articles to provide the adequate amounts needed for the Rescue Mission's upcoming Christmas Event on December 23rd; and for the residents of the Durham Rescue Mission throughout the Holiday Season.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Durham Rescue Mission provided: 1,210 plates of traditional Thanksgiving meals,  5,092 articles of clothing, and 700 Bags of Groceries.

Children attending this event enjoyed playing free carnival games with prizes. A special visitor at the dinner was Willie the Clown who entertained the children with his creative balloon art.

This event was made possible by the generous donations of all the numerous supporters and volunteers of the Durham Rescue Mission. We sincerely wish to thank everyone who helped make this another wonderful Thanksgiving for the homeless and needy in the Triangle.

To view photographs taken at the Thanksgiving Community Dinner, please click here.

To help provide for the Homeless during the Holiday Season, please click here.

Read More News:

Operation Warm Shelter in Effect at Durham Rescue Mission

Lives Transformed through Mission's Victory Program