WASHINGTON, D.C.—November 27, 2024—This Thanksgiving, Central Union Mission is meeting the growing needs of the homeless and struggling families across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area with expanded services, heartfelt hospitality, and a renewed commitment to those in crisis. Through its signature ‘A Seat at the Table’ Thanksgiving feast and multiple grocery distributions, the Mission is offering tangible hope during a time of significant economic hardship.
A Thanksgiving Meal Like No Other
At its Emergency Men’s Shelter in downtown D.C., Central Union Mission will host ‘A Seat at the Table,’ a family-style Thanksgiving celebration. Open to anyone seeking nourishment or companionship this holiday, the event will provide guests with a delicious meal served with warmth, care, and dignity.
- Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
- Time: Lunch at 12:00 PM | Dinner at 4:00 PM
- Location: Central Union Mission Men’s Shelter, 65 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
“This feast is about more than just food,” said Joe Mettimano, President & CEO of Central Union Mission. “It’s about creating a sense of belonging and showing each guest that they are valued and loved.”
Expanding Impact Across the Region
For families in need, the Mission will distribute groceries filled with holiday essentials at its Comprehensive Family Resource Center in Northeast D.C. and the newly opened Mission: NOVA in Northern Virginia. These distributions are expected to help hundreds of households celebrate Thanksgiving with dignity, even in difficult times.
The August 2024 launch of Mission: NOVA represents a historic milestone for the organization. Located in Northern Virginia, this facility provides holistic support, including food and clothing distributions, addiction recovery services, job training, ESL classes, legal aid, and more.
“This is a pivotal moment in our history,” Mettimano shared. “Mission: NOVA allows us to extend our reach and care to more communities across the DMV. A meal is often the first step on the path to a brighter future, and we’re honored to walk alongside our neighbors on that journey.”
Why This Work Matters
Thanksgiving at Central Union Mission isn’t just a meal; it’s a lifeline. For individuals facing poverty, hunger, or loneliness, acts of kindness like a warm feast or a grocery bag filled with holiday staples can spark hope and inspire change.
As economic challenges continue to weigh heavily on vulnerable communities, Central Union Mission invites the public to partner in creating a brighter Thanksgiving for all. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, every act of support helps ensure no one is forgotten this holiday season.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Members of the press are invited to cover ‘A Seat at the Table’ and the grocery distributions. Interviews with Joe Mettimano, staff, volunteers, and participants are available upon request. For more information, please contact Joshua Kinney at 484-557-1601 or jkinney@missiondc.org.
About Central Union Mission
Central Union Mission, Washington, DC’s oldest private social service agency and a faith-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offers a comprehensive array of services to men, women and children in need from DC, Virginia and Maryland. Beyond offering over 60,000 bed-nights annually at its emergency shelter, the Mission’s shelter provides a full suite of transformational programs. Our Comprehensive Family Resource Center provides food and clothing to approximately 5,000 individuals monthly, as well as transformative wrap-around services. Our Mission: NOVA center in south Arlington provides critically needed social services, as well as food and clothing. All three facilities use a co-located service model providing onsite job training/placement, education, help with addictions, ESL classes, parenting classes, healthcare, assistance to veterans and senior citizens, legal aid, assistance with housing, spiritual discipleship and more. Additionally, the Mission operates a camp for underprivileged children and a 24-bed transition home. Our reputation is reflected in our four-star rating from Charity Navigator, Platinum Seal for financial transparency from Candid, and Top-Rated award from GreatNonProfits.
