Thanksgiving preparations are underway at the Eugene Mission, where 700 people – including families – are expected to arrive Thursday. It’s a part of the organization’s services for the homeless.
Story #1:
Food Services Director Marshall Eck and his volunteers have their work cut out for them. They’re preparing up to 500 pounds of potatoes, countless gallons of gravy, and of course, the birds. Roughly 100 of them. Eck opens up a cooler…
“What you’re seeing right here is some of our brined turkeys, we made up a little special rub, and…smells like the holidays in here, doesn’t it?”
The Eugene Mission is serving breakfast and Thanksgiving dinner Thursday. Eck says in the five years he’s done this event, he’s noticed a sad trend.
“We’ve seen a huge uprise in families that are underhoused and need some support for meals at some levels and housing at some levels, and it is definitely a growing population.”
Lane County’s Point-in-Time Count for 2018 shows more than 1600 homeless people in the area.
Story #2:
Daniel Irving, known around the Eugene Mission as Danny says ideally he’d spend Thanksgiving in a home of his own, making his own dinner. However, Irving says, volunteers help make the occasion worthwhile.
“Even though they’re limited with the food and the spices that they get, they always make it good and I enjoy it very much,” he tells KLCC.
Irving says he enjoys spending the holidays at the mission because they spruce up the cafeteria. The organization uses table cloths and to make the day even more special, guests are seated and served.
Irving says it’s nice to have turkey and ham on the day instead of convenience store food. He says he wants people to come out and join him or volunteer because it’s a good time.
WEB EXTRA: Marshall Eck shows off some of the 100 turkeys being brined ahead of the 2018 Thanksgiving meal at Eugene Mission:
Copyright 2018, KLCC.
