Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ Thanksgiving Dinner

Lighthouse Mission Ministries in Bellingham is seeking support for its 93rd annual Thanksgiving dinner, which is offered to hundreds of hungry and/or homeless people in the community. Lighthouse Mission Ministries has served approximately 500 people at the Thanksgiving dinner in recent years, but is expecting more this year based on the additional people being served at the 24-Hour Drop-In Center, which opened in October. Also, volunteers will hand-deliver turkey dinners to more than 100 homebound seniors in partnership with the Whatcom Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels and More program.

“Severe winter weather hasn’t hit our county yet, but we’re already seeing about 40 more people staying overnight with us at our Drop-In Center,” said Hans Erchinger-Davis, Executive Director of Lighthouse Mission Ministries. “A complete Thanksgiving dinner for individuals and families opens the door to our proven recovery programs, instills hope and transforms lives.”

The Thanksgiving dinner will be served by 135 volunteers from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at the Church of the Assumption’s gymnasium, 2116 Cornwall Ave. The church donates use of the gymnasium for this dinner. Besides the food, the dinner meets another important need for many. “Nobody likes to be alone on the holidays,” Erchinger-Davis said. “Our guests especially need a place to connect and feel human.”

Lighthouse Mission Ministries, a privately funded, local 501(c)(3) organization, is seeking donations from individuals, faith communities, clubs, and organizations to cover the expenses. Donors may make contributions online at www.TheLighthouseMission.org or mail checks to Lighthouse Mission Ministries, P.O. Box 548, Bellingham, WA 98227-0548.

Also, people willing to bake pies for the dinner may call 360-733-5120. “Donations will help us feed people not only at Thanksgiving but also throughout the cold winter,” Erchinger-Davis said. Lighthouse Mission Ministries has been helping people who are homeless since 1923. It serves more than 300 hot meals daily and provides shelter for approximately 200 men, women and children each day thanks to the generosity of the community.