Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Thanksgiving is a time for many in Western New York to not only give thanks to all they have, but also give back to others in need throughout the community.
At the Buffalo City Mission on East Tupper Street, volunteers on site will be busy over the next 24 hours and into the weekend helping serve those less fortunate in the community on this Thanksgiving.
Aubrey Calhoun, executive director of the Buffalo City Mission, says it all begins Wednesday with prep night, getting meals ready for distribution on Thanksgiving morning.
"We're going to have over 40 volunteers from the community coming on, and they're going to be helping with prepping. That's putting together all the rolls that we need, all the cranberry sauce and putting them into different containers so that tomorrow, we'll have close to 200 volunteers on site," said Calhoun in an interview with WBEN. "And what will happen is we'll start early in the morning, and we will have volunteers that are going to be able to take all of the wonderful holiday dinners, and we're going to be packaging them all up. Then we will have 176 delivery teams that are going to come through tomorrow morning, and we will load up each of their cars, we give them a specific map and where they're going so that they have all of that information. And then they'll be delivering and blanketing all of Western New York tomorrow."
Calhoun says the distribution of Thanksgiving meals will take around four hours to complete, and it's all possible thanks to the help of the Mission's volunteers.
"They come on site, and they just help us be able to give back to this wonderful community that needs it most. It's going to be a great day," Calhoun said. "We're hoping the weather holds out so that people can be safe on the roads, but this will be a wonderful day where volunteers can really step in, and make a difference and an impact for those that are struggling in Western New York on a holiday."
The Buffalo City Mission will be serving those in the community that live at the emergency shelter, and also those that come to the Mission for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
"Depending on the community that comes out tomorrow, but for each sitting, we might have 100-to-120 people, so it's a lot of people," Calhoun noted. "Our kitchens are preparing a wonderful meal for all of the community, and all of our guests and our residents. So we want to make sure that everybody is celebrating Thanksgiving, and know we're truly thankful for who they are, and still be able to give them the services that they need, and uplift them on Thanksgiving."
Meanwhile, other services at the City Mission will not be available on Thursday during the holiday, but they will return on Friday before the weekend.
"They will have case management, they will have the medical care that's needed. We have Spectrum that's right on site, and that's providing behavioral health and counseling as well. And then also our three nutritious meals that we provide for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also our staff that work with case management and life skill training and so forth. The Mission doesn't close, it's just on the holiday," Calhoun noted. "We continue with the meals, and make sure that everybody's comfortable and being able to come in and get an emergency shelter bed. And those we try to keep as comfortable as we possibly can."
And while residents and other community members may need some assistance on Thanksgiving, the winter weather in Western New York is fast approaching, with the first substantial snowfall in the area expected this weekend. Calhoun says the City Mission is always looking for donations from the community in order to help others be well-prepared for the cold.
"We do have a pantry and, what we call also, our clothing closet. That's where these resources are available to the community," she said. "Our clothing closet is open twice a week, and this is where individuals can receive free, gently-used clothing. They can get boots, shoes, coats, winter gloves, scarves, hats. They also can get free grocery bags of food, because we want to make sure that everybody's practical needs are being met. Also warm blankets, and we want to make sure that even though, if they're not residing with us, they do leave with the essentials needed to keep them warm. That's what we're trying to do, and host as many drives as we possibly can."
What is the City Mission looking for, in particular, this winter season?
"We are in need of coats and boots for men, women and children. If individuals would love to be able to put together a drive, we'd be more than happy to, or they can drop off those wonderful gently-used items at our donation center here at 100 East Tupper Street, or right at our thrift store, which is in Depew. That way, we can really help this community and keep everyone warm," Calhoun said.
To learn more about the City Mission's rescue and restoration services, as well as information on how to volunteer, Calhoun encourage anyone to visit the Mission's website.