Rockford Rescue Mission reports turkey shortage

From press release

With more than 500 guests expected for Thanksgiving banquet, Rockford Rescue Mission is gearing up for their traditional holiday meal. But before they can start cooking, they need turkeyslots of them.

Again this year, we are counting on the community to help us collect a pile of pountry,

Executive Director Sherry Pitney said.
We can never have too many turkeys, especially when we’re trying to feed a lot of people. We don’t serve turkey just for Thanksgiving; we serve it throughout the year.

We expect to welcome hundreds of hungry and homeless people for our Thanksgiving banquet,

Pitney shared.
Many of these people have no family, and some have burned every bridge due to addiction and other circumstances. Some simply have fallen on hard times. We want to share God’s love with them and show them there is hope. Often, that starts with something as simple as a hot meal.

Pitney said the economy is adding to the number of people coming to Rockford Rescue Mission for assistance.
In the past five months, the number of meals served is running almost 19 percent ahead of last year. There is no shortage of people in need, and we’re committed to provide for each person coming to us for help,

Pitney said.

Turkeys can be dropped off either at Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Monday through Friday, 9 a..m. to 5 p.m., or on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Gray’s IGA stores, Edgebrook or Loves Park, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cash donations for the purchase of turkeys and other food items can be made at any Logli location until Nov. 25.
It’s a simple thing, but it means so much for so many,

Pitney said.

From the November 18-24, 2009 issue