Thread: Happy Thanksgiving, America!

Thank you. My girls and a friend of theirs are volunteering feeding the homeless right now.


The first Thanksgiving was actually at James River in Richmond, Virginia at a Plantation called Berkeley. There are several plantations in that area that are still there and my daughters and I went there several years ago for business and had no clue until we drove up and I saw the sign that this was the place of the first Thanksgiving!



The plantations are amazing. They have underground tunnels that go out to the river!

You can read more about all of the plantations.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

Thank you. My girls and a friend of theirs are volunteering feeding the homeless right now.

How exciting. Please, can you tell how the feeding the homeless is being held? I mean where are they fed? Who provides the food? What kind of food is that? Is that something especially delicious or an ordinary food? What exactly are you doing? Are there many homeless people where you live? Who checks if they are really homeless or maybe that doesn’t matter? Aren’t people feel awkward to eat donated food? And if they are homeless where do they live?

Can anyone else tell about this tradition where you live, please?

This year, The Fillmore, a concert venue not too far from us held their first "Giving Thanks Day." They sent out emails to local schools and posted information in the local newspapers to get volunteers. The girls said that they got lists of names from local charities of families who are in need and invited them to come and have dinner as well as advertising that the meals were available to anyone who needed the meal. They also created "goodie bags" of donated items with shampoos, soap, tooth brushes, non-perishable food items and so on to give to everyone.

One of the local food/grocery stores has a big feed the homeless program every year in Washington, DC. They do it on the day prior, so it was yesterday. This year nearly 5,000 people were fed. The event also featured a job fair and a free clothing distribution for those in need. Organizers also offered free health screenings, flu vaccines and diabetes testing.

The food is the "typical" Thanksgiving food with turkey, stuffing, cranberry, pumpkin pie, sweet potato. They usually get it donated or a company sponsors it and it becomes a tax write off.


Below is the email that we got about the girl's shift:

Thank you all so much for volunteering to be a part of our first annual Giving Thanks event at The Fillmore!


Our first year in Silver Spring has been wonderful, and we are very excited to start a new Thanksgiving Day tradition with your help. We ventured into this event somewhat blindly, with very open minds, and were overwhelmed by the welcoming warmth and helpfulness of the community. Giving Thanks will be a yearly tradition for The Fillmore Silver Spring and we could not thank you all enough for offering to be a part of its inaugural date with us. There is no way we could have pulled this together without your generosity.

WHO: All of you wonderful volunteers!


WHAT: Various tasks to set up the main hall of the venue for lunch. These tasks include setting up tables and chairs, making table decorations, arranging care packages, preparing buffet tables, setting up the kitchen, etc. You will receive your task at the volunteer check-in table.


WHEN: 8 AM – 10 AM.* Our general manager will lead the day with a pre-shift meeting at 8:10 AM.


*The shift was originally 7 AM, but with the amazing number of volunteers, we are certain that two hours will be enough time to set up.


WHERE: The Fillmore in downtown Silver Spring.


Again, thank you for volunteering to play such a huge role in the first annual Giving Thanks event. Please feel free to reach out should you have any questions!


We look forward to seeing you Thursday!


P.S. We are still collecting donations of non-perishable food items, reusable bags, toiletries and clothing. Feel free to bring any donations when you arrive for your shift. The Fillmore will also be open for donations Wednesday from 10 AM – 10 PM.

Originally Posted by rockzmom

This year, The Fillmore, a concert venue not too far from us held their first "Giving Thanks Day." They sent out emails to local schools and posted information in the local newspapers to get volunteers. The girls said that they got lists of names from local charities of families who are in need and invited them to come and have dinner as well as advertising that the meals were available to anyone who needed the meal. They also created "goodie bags" of donated items with shampoos, soap, tooth brushes, non-perishable food items and so on to give to everyone.

One of the local food/grocery stores has a big feed the homeless program every year in Washington, DC. They do it on the day prior, so it was yesterday. This year nearly 5,000 people were fed. The event also featured a job fair and a free clothing distribution for those in need. Organizers also offered free health screenings, flu vaccines and diabetes testing.

The food is the "typical" Thanksgiving food with turkey, stuffing, cranberry, pumpkin pie, sweet potato. They usually get it donated or a company sponsors it and it becomes a tax write off.

It’s so interesting, Rockzmom. 5000 people fed and the amazing number of volunteers? It should be seen. I can imagine the joy and kind feelings of all those who volunteered. Charity impresses by itself but charity on a national scale is just breathtaking.