Hundreds of families in need will have a full turkey dinner on their table this Thanksgiving, thanks to the generosity of two New Haven organizations.
His Divine Fellowship Ministry partnered with the Knights of Columbus in New Haven to hand out turkey, coats, and shoes to local families. The Knights of Columbus purchased $4,000-worth of turkeys and donated brand new coats through their national “Coats for Kids” program. His Divine Fellowship received 1,500 pairs of donated shoes.
The average cost of putting a turkey dinner on the table this Thanksgiving is $50, according to a government survey.
“Not everyone can afford that,” said Daniel Soto, a father of five.
Soto was one of the first people in line at New Haven’s Wexler-Grant school.
“It’ll be a pretty good Thanksgiving this year,” he said of the donation.
Organizers said they expected to help 200 families in need.
On top of the turkey, families took home potatoes, stuffing and a bag full of the trimmings.
“The concept was to the greatest extent have Thanksgiving in a bag,” Tony Minopoli, national executive vice president of the Knights of Columbus, said.
The two organizations adopted three area schools and school officials helped identify the families who would most benefit from the donations.
“I work, but it’s pretty hard and we could use it,” said Carlton Dawkins, who brought his three sons with him.
The boys tried on shoes and gloves, while 10-year-old Z’Kiiya Crawford was all smiles as she received a brand new coat. She was excited to take home a pair of gently-used shoes as well.
“A lot of people judge you by the shoes that you wear sometimes,” Crawford said.
Dr. Brenda Adkins, who runs the ministry, said, “I had a young man who said his mom can’t buy sneakers cause she has to pay the rent, and his sneakers has holes in them."
"Our children can’t strive and learn if they’re being bullied because of what they have on,” she added.
The spirit of giving was alive and well in New Haven, thanks to the generous donations.
“God bless them. God bless them. We can definitely use it. We appreciate it,” said Dawkins.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com