MUSKEGON, MI -- The Muskegon Rescue Mission is expecting to hand out more meals at this year’s Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway due to increased need brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The giveaway is being held on Monday, Nov. 23 and Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Muskegon Rescue Mission Men’s Shelter, 400 W. Laketon Ave. Baskets include a frozen turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and a dessert.
“It’s been a yearlong increase that we’ve seen in our food pantry requests for food, in the number of individuals that are staying in our shelters, and in the number of calls for requests we’re receiving, overall, is up 15 to 20 percent this year,” said Dan Skoglund, executive director of Muskegon Rescue Mission.
In 2019, the mission gave away 800 meal baskets to local families. Based on numbers they’ve seen all year, which coincide with the COVID-19 pandemic, Skoglund said they’re prepping for 1,000 families.
“That is where we started to really see the increased pickup was once COVID hit and people were laid off or furloughed and haven’t been called back yet,” said Skoglund. “We’ve had people that have come back to take part-time jobs because their job doesn’t exist anymore and they just aren’t making as much money. They’re struggling to make ends meet.”
The pandemic underscores the significance of the basket giveaway. The Centers for Disease Control and Michigan health officials are advising people celebrate Thanksgiving with only those in their household, which is “one more thing” on top of the other stressors, Skoglund said.
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“This is just one way we think we can help alleviate some of the stress this holiday with everything that’s going on, so they can have their traditional meal,” said Skoglund.
The Muskegon Rescue Mission also usually holds a Thanksgiving community meal each year, but that was canceled because of a struggle to find a venue. Muskegon Public Schools typically hosts the meal, but the district has been operating remotely since the beginning of the school year due to the pandemic.
The shelter asks that only one person per family pick up the Thanksgiving basket, and they are required to bring a photo ID. Participants are also required to wear a mask and follow 6-foot social distancing guidelines.
The mission has already collected enough turkeys for the baskets, but they are still looking for donations of men’s hats and gloves, boxed instant mashed potatoes and brownie mix. Items can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Monday.
Also on MLive:
5 reasons why you need to rethink holiday celebrations because of coronavirus
Community collects ‘mountain’ of donations for staff at Mercy Health in Muskegon
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