“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” – W.T. Purkiser
For nearly a decade, our Thanksgiving Feast for the Homeless at the Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC) has been one of NEST4US’s most cherished traditions—a day where gratitude transforms into action, and service becomes solidarity. What began as a small community meal has grown into a collective movement of compassion, grounded in the belief that every person deserves dignity, belonging, and care.
Each year, our team comes together to serve a festive meal and distribute essential items—blankets, toiletries, and warm clothing—to our unhoused neighbors across Washington, D.C. Yet, this initiative extends beyond providing resources. At its core, the feast represents our commitment to addressing both the visible and invisible barriers that perpetuate homelessness—from inadequate access to housing and healthcare to the social isolation that too often accompanies life on the streets.
At NEST4US, we approach service not as a one-way act of giving, but as an opportunity for mutual connection and understanding. Our volunteers don’t simply hand out plates—they pull up a chair. We eat, laugh, and share stories together, breaking down the hierarchies that often separate “volunteers” from “recipients.” These conversations remind us that empathy is a form of empowerment—and that human connection is as essential to wellbeing as food or shelter.
This person-centered model reflects the essence of our work: addressing both physical needs through direct aid and mental and emotional wellbeing through community. It’s a reminder that lasting change begins when we see people not as problems to be solved, but as individuals with voices, dreams, and strengths worth honoring.
The Thanksgiving Feast also serves as a call to action—inviting each of us to examine how systems, policies, and biases contribute to persistent inequities. True gratitude means using our blessings to challenge those barriers and to create inclusive solutions rooted in empathy, equity, and shared responsibility.
As we continue this tradition, we remain guided by one simple truth: kindness is most powerful when it builds community. Together, we can transform thanksgiving into thanks-living—where compassion, equity, and hope are not seasonal gestures, but year-round commitments.
Join us this year!
Our upcoming Thanksgiving Feast for the Homeless will once again take place at Georgetown Ministry Center, and we’d love for you to be part of it! Whether by volunteering your time, cooking a homemade dish, donating essential items, or contributing funds to help sustain our efforts, every act of generosity helps us extend warmth and dignity to our unhoused neighbors!
