A Feast for the Soul: The Mission's 2024 Thanksgiving Celebration 

The tables sat lined up in neat rows, each chair pushed in and straightened. A hum of activity buzzed through the air as volunteers and Mission chefs worked together to put the final touches on Thanksgiving dinner at Fort Collins Rescue Mission this year. Outside, neighbors experiencing homelessness waited eagerly for the meal inside. 

For many in our community, the holiday season can be an especially hard time filled with loneliness and uncertainty. The colder nights and early season snow settle in, the days become shorter… and with no home to retreat to, our most vulnerable neighbors seek shelter and hope at our doors. 

2024 Thanksgiving Banquet

Fort Collins Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving services are more than just meals; they are a celebration of community and compassion. The Thanksgiving banquet provides a safe and welcoming space where individuals who are often overlooked by society can feel seen, can connect with trusted staff, and can see the love of Christ. 

“…when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” -Luke 14:13 (NIV)

“It has been at least three years since I had a Thanksgiving meal. I just got out of the hospital. I just kind of stumbled around downtown… Then I came over here, and I had no idea this [banquet] was going on… This is really humbling to have people serve you. It’s humbling and I’m very grateful.”

Michael, FCRM Guest

The Mission’s Thanksgiving celebration, like all our services 365 days a year, is made possible through the generosity of individuals, churches, and companies throughout our community. Donations of food, supplies, and financial support are crucial in ensuring that everyone has a chance to enjoy a special Thanksgiving meal, and critical services every single day.

Thankful Hearts: Serving Our Homeless Neighbors This Thanksgiving 

This Thanksgiving, we served 157 Thanksgiving meals to neighbors in need. Volunteers, many from the city’s Hope Police (Homeless Outreach & Proactive Engagement), served the guests of the Mission a beautifully prepared meal of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, stuffing, rolls and devil eggs. For dessert they were presented a choice of pumpkin or lemon pie.

Thankful for You 

Your support can make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. By supporting Fort Collins Rescue Mission, you are helping to end homelessness in our city, one life at a time. 

Beyond the Thanksgiving banquet, Fort Collins Rescue Mission provides a wide range of services throughout the year, including: 

• Healthy meals: The Mission provides nutritious meals daily, ensuring that individuals have access to essential sustenance. 
• Safe shelter: The Mission offers a safe and secure shelter, providing a place of refuge for those experiencing homelessness. 
• Rehabilitation programs: The Mission offers programs designed to help individuals overcome challenges and build a brighter future, like our New Life Program at Harvest Farm in Wellington. 

This holiday season, let’s come together as a community to support Fort Collins Rescue Mission. Your generosity can make a real difference in the lives of those in need.