Thanksgiving

The biggest week of the year at The Bowery Mission

During its 139th Thanksgiving celebration, The Bowery Mission will serve 18,000 meals over seven days — 9,000 on Thanksgiving Day alone — across nine campuses and with 25 partners in all five boroughs of New York City and in Newark, NJ.

On Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 22, 2018), at The Bowery Mission's flagship location (Bowery campus), guests experiencing hunger and homelessness will receive a traditional Thanksgiving meal served with love in the Mission's century-old chapel, with music and festive decorations for the holiday.

At the Bowery campus, our staff and 500 volunteers will serve 1,800 individuals across 11 meal services, taking place on the hour, from 8am to 6pm. In addition to a turkey dinner, each guest will receive a new coat, and a "blessing bag" including socks, a winter hat, gloves, and hygiene items.

Women being served meals at New York City Rescue Mission

Earlier in the week, on Monday, November 19 at the Tribeca campus (formerly New York City Rescue Mission), 100 volunteers will serve meals to 400 guests at 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm and 6:00pm.

On Tuesday, November 20 at the Newark campus (formerly Goodwill Rescue Mission), 40 volunteers will serve meals and distribute coats to 100 guests between 11:30am-1:30pm.

Thanks to our generous supporters, donors and volunteers...

The Bowery Mission Chapel on Thanksgiving

1,800 meals will be served in our century-old chapel at our Bowery campus.

6,000 additional meals and approximately 2,700 pounds of pantry staples will be distributed to 25 partners in all five boroughs.

We will prepare 780 turkeys, 7,200 pounds of potatoes, 1,800 pounds of vegetables, 675 pies, 2,400 pounds of stuffing, and 150 gallons of gravy.

"Blessing Bags" will be given to each guest — a practical gift including toiletry/hygiene goods and socks.

At the Bowery campus, each guest will receive a new coat, winter hat and gloves.

Volunteers helping to serve guests meals

Over 800 volunteers will graciously serve guests at our Bowery, Tribeca and Newark campuses.

Volunteer for Thanksgiving 2018

For information about volunteering on Thanksgiving, please visit bowery.org/thanksgivingvolunteer. Registration for most volunteer shifts are full, but you may check back in case of cancellations.

Unfortunately, because of the extremely high demand to volunteer on Thanksgiving Day, and the relatively small size of our facility, we regret that we cannot accommodate everyone who wants to volunteer that day. This is to protect the experience of our community and the safety of all people on-site. Volunteers MUST sign up through our online Thanksgiving registration to be allowed on-site that day.

Thanksgiving is the biggest volunteer day of the year at The Bowery Mission. We are grateful and fortunate to have so many enthusiastic volunteers from all over the city and the world!

Thanksgiving Volunteer Registration

More ways to support The Bowery Mission this Thanksgiving season...

Set the Tables

Join our Set the Table fundraising campaign and help supply the thousands of meals served during Thanksgiving.

Start Fundraising

Donate towards meals and care all year-round

DONATE TODAY

Our work to serve the homeless and poor continues every day of the year. It is only possible because of friends like you.

Neighborhood Partners

Our #NewYorkNeighbors support Thanksgiving at The Bowery Mission.

Visit participating retailers and restaurants in the Bowery neighborhood and they will donate a percentage of sales which will help provide meals to the homeless and poor on Thanksgiving Day. Last year, our neighborhood partners raised over $15,000 by fundraising and spreading the word about the Mission.

Apotheke
A Brooklyn based fragrance company elevating the everyday

Shop the online store (apothekeco.com) where 10% of sales from the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 17-18) will be donated to The Bowery Mission.

Char Sue
A casual Asian restaurant in the heart of the Lower East Side – the menu is a dream that turned into a dining experience for the local neighbors and those from all around the world to experience familiar flavors of Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine

Visit participating restaurant (119 Essex St, NYC), where 10% of net sales from the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 17-18) will be donated to The Bowery Mission.

Gimme! Coffee
Gimme! Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster, retailer and wholesaler founded in 2000, with cafes in NYC and Ithaca, NY

For every bag of Rally coffee sold in retail stores (including the store at 228 Mott St, NYC) and online during the months of October, November, and December, $1.00 will be donated to The Bowery Mission.

Kenneth Cole
Shop for fashionable clothing and accessories at Kenneth Cole's flagship store on the Bowery

Visit participating store (328 Bowery, NYC), where 20% of sales from the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 17-18) will be donated to The Bowery Mission.

Ramy Brook
An advanced contemporary womenswear brand offering sophisticated and timeless pieces

Visit participating store (22 Prince Street, NYC), where 20% of sales from the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 17-18) will be donated to The Bowery Mission.

The Goods Mart
A better-for-you, socially conscious alternative to the modern convenience store

Visit their new location at 189 Lafayette Street, which will be donating all tips from the month of November to The Bowery Mission.

Two Hands Cafe
A community-focused cafe that strives to create nutritious, simple and delicious food paired with exceptional coffee

Visit participating cafe (164 Mott Street, NYC), where $1.00 from every coffee or tea sold from November 12-18 will be donated to The Bowery Mission.

Two Hands Restaurant & Bar
Two Hands Restaurant & Bar is inspired by Australia's forward-thinking culinary scene and relaxed beachside lifestyle serving exceptional food

Visit participating restaurant (251 Church Street, NYC), where $1.00 from every coffee or tea sold from November 12-18 will be donated to The Bowery Mission.