As the fall weather finally pushes out the last vestiges of summer, I am reminded of holidays from years past. The brisk air, the rush of warmth upon entering the house, and the laughter that emanated from every room. Thanksgiving has always been my one of my favorite holidays, a day set aside, exclusively, to reconnect and share a meal together. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life it is easy to forget how impactful this simple act of breaking bread together can be in reenergizing the mind and the heart.

This time of the year also reminds me of the importance of housing, a place to call home. As the nights get longer, and temperatures dip below freezing — a warm place to reside is a critical part of survival. This year, 500 families will be warmed by the housing provided by THC. For many of them, it is the first time they have a place to call home in a year or more. We have already worked to

make sure that our families have a safe warm home, but the challenges of poverty are still very real in their lives. Things like birthdays and holidays are often a luxury that the families we serve might not be able to afford.

We believe that the families we serve deserve this time to reconnect with one another and enjoy a delicious meal. This year THC is working to give 300 of the families that we serve, $50 gift cards to local grocery stores so that they can create

their own unique Thanksgiving meals. Cooking is another way of expressing ones self and ones affection for another, so we want to give our families the room is get creative and cook the meal they desire! We are endlessly grateful to the churches, local businesses and organizations (listed to the right) that have generously contributed nearly 100 thanksgiving meals already!

We are well on our way to reaching our goal of providing Thanksgiving meals for the 300 families in need of support. Is your organization or congregation looking for a meaningful way to give back to the local DC community? Share this post and find out! To make a contribution or to learn more, feel free to contact Kate Stritzinger at kstritzinger@thcdc.org or 202-291-5535 x414 to figure out ways to get your organization involved this Thanksgiving and beyond!