10,000 Meals Given to Families Ahead of Thanksgiving

The City of Albuquerque partnered with Calvary Church, Wilson Middle School, and Whittier Elementary to support families and individuals in need with essential resources ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The annual event served thousands of residents again this Saturday in its fifth straight year.

Calvary Church generously provided 10,000 meals consisting of a complete Thanksgiving meal for a family of four with whole turkey, corn, green beans, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and corn bread along with healthy grocery items from Convoy of Hope. The organization also provided 1,200 pairs of shoes, clothing, eye exams with free glasses, dental services, school desks for kids to take home, and haircuts at their Thanksgiving Pickup Party on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The City expanded access for residents by providing transportation from Wilson Middle School and Whittier Elementary to the event at Calvary Church.

“We will continue to step up to help families get what they need to make the holidays special,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We're grateful for all our partners who go above and beyond to serve families in need.”

“We believe Albuquerque is one of the greatest cities in the country and we believe it’s worth loving and serving,” said Calvary Church Pastor Skip Heitzig. “We call this a day of dignity and we believe it’s our privilege and responsibility to see a need and meet a need. Our motto is ‘for the city we love,’ and we believe this is our place, our people, and therefore, our privilege.”

This collaboration is part of the City's efforts to support families and ensure every resident has access to critical resources. The event highlights the essential work of faith-based and community organizations, like Calvary Church, to uplift Albuquerque residents.