2023 Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanks for another successful Thanksgiving celebration

The Bowery Mission hosted its cherished, time-honored tradition: the longest-running Thanksgiving meal celebration in New York City! We believe in the power of community, which is why we extended a heartfelt invitation to anyone without a home to join us around our family table on Thanksgiving Day. Our staff, volunteers and ovens worked around the clock to ensure anyone and everyone had a place to enjoy a warm meal and share in the holiday spirit. Guests enjoyed live music and received practical care kits filled with hygiene items and winter accessories. We know that a special meal at the Mission this time of the year can be the first step toward a new life out of homelessness, addiction or whatever need our neighbors face this season.

Photo credit: Sean Chee & The Bowery Mission

“The Bowery Mission has been part of my journey. That’s why I came for Thanksgiving. Life on the street stinks. But here you can have beautiful fellowship. If I had to describe the Mission in one word, I would say, ‘support.’”

— Michael, Thanksgiving guest

The impact of your support

Thanks to dedicated supporters, donors and volunteers, The Bowery Mission’s Red Doors stay open 365 days a year to provide meals, shelter, clothing, showers and more. It’s more important now than ever, as more than 100,000 men, women and children are experiencing homelessness in our city, and an estimated 1 in 7 New Yorkers is food insecure. We are grateful for compassionate friends like you who are showing our neighbors in need that they are not alone and that someone cares.

Guest smiling and eating Thanksgiving meal

During the months of October and November, we’ve served an estimated 50,000 meals at multiple campuses throughout Manhattan. This culminated with over 1,900 meals on Thanksgiving Day alone.

Weeks in advance, we started working to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for each guest. This included 350 turkeys, 3,500 pounds of potatoes and 400 pies! Everything was home-cooked, prepared with love by our faithful staff, supporters and volunteers.

Our Residential Program clients at our Harlem and East Harlem Campuses also prepared and enjoyed Thanksgiving meals in community.

Woman receiving Thanksgiving supplies from volunteer

The Bowery Mission’s Mont Lawn City Camp children’s programs hosted a Giving Thanks event, providing over 140 meal kits to families in our communities with a turkey and pantry goods.

How The Bowery Mission prepares for Thanksgiving

Ways to support The Bowery Mission throughout the year

Give financially

Give meals & hope

Donate towards meals, hospitality and other critical care all year-round. A meal is just $3.49 each. Think about how many people you can help with your special gift today.

Fundraise

Learn more

Create a fundraising campaign that will supply thousands of meals and other care for neighbors in need. Our online fundraising platform is a great tool for mobilizing your personal and professional networks to care for people experiencing homelessness and hunger in New York City. You can also find additional ideas for corporate and community fundraisers.

Donate goods

Host a giving drive to help our community. Learn about current needs and more at bowery.org/donategoods.

Volunteer

Join us in our work to empower others! Prepare or serve meals, tutor and mentor clients or participate in skill-based opportunities.

Thank you for your support

We can’t do it alone. Preparing meals for this many people not only requires a lot of effort, it requires a lot of resources. Your generous heart helps welcome each person who comes to our Red Doors with love, encouragement and hope at a time when they need it most.