The Spirit of Giving

The problems of Wall Street and the faltering economy have hit close to home for several local nonprofits and other organizations that provide services to the poor and the homeless. As the demand for need goes up, the amount of donations have seemingly gone down leaving many of these organizations at a crossroad.

Yet, many of these nonprofits, businesses and other organizations, are carrying on and doing anything possible to help provide for those who are in most need - - especially during this holiday season.

The Denver Rescue Mission has provided food, shelter, clothing and other services to the Denver community for over a decade. Similar to other organizations, it too has hit a rough patch in trying to achieve donation goals due to the increase in need. “We’ve seen a 10 percent increase in the amount of services needed by the people in the community,” said Greta Walker, the Denver Rescue Mission’s Director of Public Relations. “In the last month, a lot more families have been coming for food boxes.”

Yesterday, the Mission, along with 98.5 FM KYGO, held the 8th Annual Feed the Need radio-thon at the Crossing to hand out food boxes to over 1,250 pre-registered people. The Mission will also provide 1,000 meals today at the Great Thanksgiving Banquet and, with enough donations, will distribute turkeys to smaller organizations and church organizations.

Several other local Denver businesses and organizations are also participating in food drives and/or providing Thanksgiving feasts to the needy.

Rosa Linda’s Mexican Café will serve free Thanksgiving meals to needy families on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is the 24th year that Rosa Linda’s holds this event. The restaurant is located at 2005 W. 33rd Ave.

Last Saturday, the Epworth Foundation ...