Denver Feed A Family: Thanksgiving 2011

Giving Thanks One Basket at a Time

NovEMBER 19, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Commemorating the spirit and generosity of "Daddy Bruce" Randolph, The Epworth Foundation and its generous sponsors have distributed more than 45,500 baskets of food to Denver-area families in need.

In 2011 the need is greater than ever. The Epworth Foundation needs the community's help!

What happens: At midnight the Friday before Thanksgiving, 3 city blocks near Epworth will be closed off and a giant assembly line will be set up. Semi trailers full of food will be hauled in by Wal-Mart. The food will be offloaded onto a conveyor system, where over the next 18 hours more than a thousand volunteers will help pack the food into boxes and the distribution will begin. Volunteers from Metro Cab will begin delivering food to the elderly and shut-in, while thousands of people will visit Epworth directly to receive their baskets. Community agencies will be present to communicate their services. More than 8,000 families will be helped.

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This is a remarkable event, probably the largest of its kind in the nation, and none of it would be possible without the generosity of the entire Denver community.

What is needed: Due to the current economic climate, the need has increased, while donations and funding sources have decreased. Without your generous support, we will not be able to serve those in need. Please consider making a donation today!

This event is volunteer-driven and there is no costly administrative staff. Your contributions are well-spent. 90% of funds raised cover the direct costs of buying food; the balance goes for direct distribution and setup costs such as permits and community outreach.

To Feed a Family

To feed a family: for only $22 you can provide a basket with turkey, potatoes, onions, green beans, corn, corn bread mix, macaroni and cheese, cake mix, and cranberries: enough for a family of 8, with a little left over for the pantry.

Donate now!

VOLUNTEERS

As in past years, we will need more than a thousand volunteers for this event, in which the work -- and the fun! -- begins at midnight Friday and doesn't end until Saturday evening. If you volunteered in past years and left an email address we will send a reminder.

BASKETS

Nominations have closed for baskets.

Click to see a list of other agencies offering Thanksgiving meals or other services.

Daddy Bruce

"You can't beat love," Daddy said. "Nothing beats love. If you give just one thing, you get three things back. That's why I do it."

Those words, from Denver's own "Daddy Bruce" Randolph, summed up his generosity and giving spirit as he served food to Denver's hungry beginning several decades ago. This annual event commemorates his memory and his spirit of giving. Since 2003, the Epworth Foundation and generous community sponsors have carried on Daddy Bruce's tradition by serving Denver's neediest families, providing more than 35,000 baskets of food.

More about Daddy....

Watch "Feed A Family" Video!