Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-24
The Poor Remembered by Those
More Fortunate.
The THANKSGIVING DISTRIBUTION
Work of Central Union Mission
and Other Institutions.
MANY MADE THAN FU L

Following the custom inaugurated four
teen years and more ago, the Central Union
Mission today mnistered to the poor and
destitute of Washington in a manner des-
tined to make these worthy but impover-
ished people sing joyous anthems of thanks
more heartfelt and earnest than their rich
er brothers and sisters who enjoy boun-
teous plenty all the year refund.
Yesterday the mission isuthorites dis
trlbuted 800 baskets filled to overlooking
with Thanksgiving provisions, a fat little
turkey having a place in each one of the
wicker receptacles. These baskets We're
given to families known to be deserving,
but who are too poor to provide themselves
with the luxuras of "a real Thanksgiving
dinner. They were given to those who will
be made happier and better by such re-
membrance. And today these provisions
have found their way onto the tables of 800
families where happiness holds full sway
homes that would have been as gloomy as
the snowy weather outside but for the work
of the mission.
Lunches In the Chapel. q.
This afternoon homeless men and women
are eating Thanksgiving lunches in the
chapel of the Central Union Mission build
ing, on Louisiana avenue, and offering up
their devout thanks to the Lord for the
good cheer found in the wholesome meals
furnished them. The dinner is being serv-
ed upon table boards attached to the backs
of the settees. These tables are wide
enough to hold the dinner plate and cup
of coffee and are arranged so as to ac
commOdate the greatest number of diners
possible at one time. The dinner is being
served during a recess in the religious eX-
ercises of the day, which are conducted in
the mission auditorium. The recess began
at = o'clock, at which time the poor. ILL
clad Wanderer made their way TO the room,
whence Savory odorS had f1Oated for some
time. There they found dinner awaiting
them.
The dinner was enjoyed to the fullest ex
tent-enjoyed only as those who are genu-
inely hungry do enjoy the tempting viands
of a Thanksgiving meal. The dinner serv
ed consisted of turkey, vegetables, pies,
doughnuts, apples and coffee. Provision
has been made for feeding 800 needy per-
sons. and it is believed that fully this num-
Der will have partaken of the missions
hospitality to the poor before the lunch
room doors close at 5 o'clock this afternoon.
The ladies of the mission are acting in the
capacity of mattresses, and as fast as one
delegation Is fed the tables are cleared to
make way for those in waiting. While the
men and women are eating their lunch the
mission choir and orchestra, placed in the
chapel balcony, Is furnishing sacred and
timely music
PrOvisiOns Sent Out Yesterday.
In the baskets sent out yesterday on
their mission Of cheer were provisions for
small family. Each contained either a
turkey or chicken, Irish and sweet pota-
toes, turnips, tea, coffee, bread and butter,
sugar. hominy, beans and apples-quite an
excellent menu. The large number Of bas-
kets distributed were the fruit of a labor
begun several weeks ago, when the mis-
sion forces began their canvass for contri-
buttons. While engaged In this work they
also secured a list of deserving families,
and no family found a place there which
was not recommended or known to be
worthy of the remembrance.
The Thanksgiving work Of the mission
has been carried out on a grander scale
this year than ever before, and the day
promises to be one of the happiest ever
celebrated at the philanthropic institution.
The mission is keeping open house. Par
lors auditorium, dormitories and every
part of the building will be open to inspec-
ton until o'clock tonight. During the
day many persons instrested in charitable
work called and assisted lin the work Of
entertaining the vast bthrongs of homeless
people who remained ABOUT the mission
building throughout the day.
Religious Services.
The religious services began In the audi
forum at noon, and sfromd that hour until
o'clock this afternoon We're in charge Of
Messrs. Bailey and Havell, who were as
sisted by all the members of the board of
directors, by the full mission orchestra by
the male quartet by number of soloists