Preparations are underway at Light of Life Rescue Mission for their annual Thanksgiving dinner.
The organization expects to serve over 1,000 people at their North Shore shelter Thursday and deliver an additional 800 meals to local high-rises.
Director of development Doug Smith calls Thanksgiving the organization's Super Bowl.
"There's people that, for whatever reason this Thanksgiving, aren't going to be able to have Thanksgiving with their family," he said. "To know that we're providing a place for them when they're in their time of need, it's just so fulfilling."
The event has been a staple in Pittsburgh for over 50 years, but organizers say this year will be extra special. This will be the first Thanksgiving hosted at Light of Life's new facility. They will also offer dine-in meals, which they could not do last year because of the pandemic.
Smith says the new facility can hold quadruple the people at once compared to their old facility. It's also more accommodating for conversation and connections.
"We like to say that the opposite of addiction isn't sobriety. It's actually community," he said. "In everything we do that starts with a meal, we want to create community for people, because that's really going to be the first step to helping them get back on their feet again."
For the first time in over 30 years, the event will be without one of its most popular volunteers in former Steeler Tunch Ilkin. Ilkin passed away earlier this year. Smith says Ilkin's wife will be volunteering along with his good friend and teammate Craig Wolfley.
Light of Life's Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 12 to 6 p.m. Thursday at their Voeghtly Shelter. Volunteers will also hand out winter gear and hygiene kits. Anyone in need is welcome to attend.