Fort Wayne Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Meal11/16/2023Fort Wayne, IN -- The Rescue Mission will serve its largest holiday meal on Wednesday, November 22nd between the hours of 3 - 7 PM at the 404 E. Washington Blvd. location. The meal is free and open to all members of the community.During the previous Thanksgiving, over 4,500 meals were distributed to individuals and families struggling with food insecurity and homelessness. This year, it is expected that the number will rise to nearly 5,000. The Rescue Mission is currently assisting almost three times the typical number of people, with the anticipation that this number will keep increasing as the weather gets colder. To ensure the safety and preserve the dignity of the community, this year’s Thanksgiving meal will be available for carry-out only, with a limit of three meals per individual. Pastor Thomas McArthur, President and CEO of The Rescue Mission, expressed, “We have witnessed a growing demand for our services within our community, and this need continues to expand. While homelessness and food insecurity are not new problems, they have intensified. With substantial barriers preventing access to food and resources, families facing poverty and homelessness are at an elevated risk. We served a record in meals last Thanksgiving and we believe we will surpass that number this year.” The Rescue Mission would like to thank sponsors and donors for their gifts. The Rescue Mission’s Holiday meals are made possible by generous donations of food items, cash gifts, and the assistance of over 100 volunteers.