This year's Denver Rescue Mission's turkey drive is also a test of texting as a way to raise funds.
As usual, this year frozen turkeys can be dropped off at several sites around town. (The nonprofit asks that they weigh at least 12 pounds.) Donated turkeys will be served at the Denver Rescue Mission's annual banquet for people experiencing homelessness on Nov. 27 as well as placed in holiday food boxes distributed to families across the Denver region.
Also as usual, if you don't want to give a turkey, you can give money. Or maybe you want to give money, too. Financial contributions for the Thanksgiving effort can be made by calling 303-313-2403 or going to the Denver Rescue Mission website. The nonprofit has been accepting online donations since the early 2000s.
Or -- and this is unusual here -- you can give money by texting TURKEY to 24365.
If the texting platform works out, Denver Rescue Mission will use it for other fundraising efforts, spokeswoman Nicole Tschetter said.
"We've seen other nonprofits use it throughout the country and be successful with it," she said.
The Thanksgiving campaign began Friday.
Drop-off locations accepting turkeys through Nov. 27:
- Ministry Outreach Center (Holly & 39th) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
- The Crossing (Smith Road & Holly) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
In addition, the Lawrence Street Shelter (Park Avenue West & Lawrence Street) will accept turkeys Nov. 20-27 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. And the Denver Broncos will have a turkey donation site at the team's UCHealth Training Center at 13655 East Broncos Parkway in Englewood on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Last year Denver Rescue Mission received 16,555 donated turkeys. In all, 44,464 pounds of turkey and sides were donated for the Thanksgiving food boxes.
