Three Friday events help needy for Thanksgiving

Local charities and ministries are trying to balance a decline in turkey donations with a higher demand from the needy.

“We can’t explain why the turkey donations are down, but they are,” said Rochelle Schlortt, of the Marian House soup kitchen in Colorado Springs. “We’re all sitting at about 50 percent of goal right now.”

Albertson’s and Safeway grocery stores tried to help Friday by donating 300 turkeys and side dishes to the Marian House. The food was quickly distributed to several churches and food pantries.

The Rev. William Chancy, of Grace Be Unto You Church and Ministries, said he was getting 100 dinners for needy people in his neighborhood.

“There’s a lot of families,” he said. “In fact, I’m getting calls all morning for families needing Thanksgiving baskets this year. I’ll try to give a $10 gift card and a chicken, because we probably just can’t get them all. That’s the way it is.”

Victory World Outreach in Colorado Springs expected to host 1,500 needy people at an annual dinner and clothing giveaway that started in 2000.

“We had 200 people that first year,” said pastor Richard Marshall. “We’re seeing more homeless families. They’re living in cars. We need more people helping out. We need more resources in Colorado Springs. We need more jobs, better jobs.”

Volunteering at VWO was Wesley Perkins and Sonja Heathington, a couple married for five years. They said they want to help others like them.

“We moved here from Oklahoma City three days ago,” Perkins said. “We had a hard time there. We thought if we came to Colorado, we might find some help. Things are looking better here.”

On a lighter note, Centennial Elementary School held its fifth annual Thanksgiving luncheon on Friday for students and parents. A Fort Carson unit and a motorcycle club helped out.