SALT LAKE CITY – The Rescue Mission of Salt Lake turned Thanksgiving Eve into a day of hope, hot meals and fresh starts as hundreds of people experiencing homelessness gathered for the nonprofit’s annual holiday banquet.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined volunteers on Wednesday to serve turkey dinners, offer encouragement and spend time with guests who call the streets and shelters of Salt Lake City home.
“Every year we come to the Rescue Mission, and we get to serve our homeless friends an incredible Thanksgiving meal. It’s a really great day to give back,” Cox said as he helped hand out plates, continuing a gubernatorial tradition started by former Gov. Jon Huntsman and carried on by former Gov. Gary Herbert. You can learn more about Cox’s work and priorities on the official Governor of Utah website.
1,500 Meals, And Much More Than Food
Executive director Chris Croswhite said the Rescue Mission prepared about 1,500 meals, expecting 800 to 1,000 guests to come through the doors on Wednesday. At the same time, shuttle drivers headed out across the city to bring meals directly to people still living on the streets.
“Our theme this year is recognizing that we’re blessed,” Croswhite explained. “We’re blessed to live in a great state with a great economy and volunteerism. We’re the highest state in the nation for volunteerism.”
He said the goal is to help people who are still unsheltered see that there is something to be thankful for, even in hard times. Sometimes, he noted, a warm meal served with dignity can be the first small step toward a changed life.
Changing Lives, Not Just Serving Plates
This year alone, Croswhite said the Rescue Mission has helped 72 people move into full-time jobs and secured housing for 69 individuals.
“The focus and goal of the Rescue Mission is to restore broken lives and help people toward self-sufficiency,” he said.
That focus was visible throughout the banquet. Alongside the turkey and rolls, the mission offered:
- Coats, shoes and warm clothing
- Referrals to job and housing resources
- Connections to other homeless service providers
Guests could also be linked to programs through the Utah Department of Workforce Services, which partners with local organizations to help people find employment, training and support.
Leadership That Serves In Person
Croswhite said having Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson regularly volunteer at the mission matters far beyond the holiday photo opportunity.
“As the governor and lieutenant governor — because they have so regularly volunteered to help our homeless community — when they’re making decisions, it’s not an abstract decision,” Croswhite said. “It is an informed and educated decision from their own personal experiences of volunteering.”
He believes that kind of hands-on service helps ensure Utah’s top leaders understand the human side of homelessness, not just the policy side.
A Banquet That Sparks New Beginnings
For many guests, the Thanksgiving banquet is more than a one-day event. Croswhite said every year, people who come in for a holiday meal later return to join the mission’s inpatient life-transformation programs, which provide long-term support, addiction recovery and pathways to independence.
“Some of the people in this room today, having a phenomenal Thanksgiving meal, will decide to change their life and come back to us for help,” he said. “And that’s what we’re doing today.”
The Rescue Mission offers daily volunteer opportunities and is already preparing for its Christmas banquet, where it hopes to impact even more lives with food, warmth and a chance at a fresh start.
