Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-11-28
FEEDING THE HUNGRY
Free Dinners Given Away at The
Central Union Mission.
DINING ROOM MADE OF TIE CHAPEL
Other Institutions Where Spirit of
Benevolence Was Manifest.
HELP FOR THE DESTITUTE

The observance Of Thanksgiving at the
Central Union Mission. g. Louisiana ave-
nue.. is always an occasion OF rejoicing for
those unfortunates who are not blessed
with permanent homes anG who. because
of some reason or another. are compelled
to drift aimlessly about. The ennobling
work that has been accomplished by this
Christian organization since its inception
nearly twenty years ago. has been Of a far
reaching nature. as will be attested by hun
dreds of needy and deserving families. as
well as hundreds OF men who have been
reclaimed from a life OF sin and vice and
placed I'm the higher walks OF life.
The rooms Of the Mission presented an
animated scene today. From long before
sunrise a small army of men and women
worked with will getting things in readi-
ness for the big Thanksgiving feast that
was served later in the day. free OF charge.
to all needy men in the city. Every little
while throughout the forenoon wagons
laden with provender. from the most sub
stantial food to the choicest of delicacies.
FOUND their way to the doors of the mission.
where they We're unloaded by the men who
have homes in the institution. and who en-
tered into the spirit of the thing with as
muoh zest il their pockets were lined
with the one thing needful to keep the wolf
from the door.
work OF Committees.
For weeks the several committees OF the
Mission have been preparing for today's
spread. The work was conducted on strict
ly business lines. The soliciting committee
was apportioned, SO that each district was
covered thoroughly and the responses were,
il anything. greater than on any previous
year. Not only was the management of the
mission enabled to give the free dinner. but
on yesterday 447 baskets were sent out to
needy families throughout the city. The
American Ice Company placed eight wagons
and drivers at the disposal of the mission.
and several other conyeyances were press
ed into service to distribute the baskets
last evening.
The work was done In such a manner as
to avoid any possible embarrassment TO
those who received this holiday offering
Friends of the mission sent in names of
those who would be glad to receive as
sistance and the baskets were forthcoming.
The work of filing the baskets was done
by a separate committee composed of men
and women who have long been Interested
in the mission and who, to a great extent.
were familiar with the needs OF each of
the families to which the baskets were sent.
Every basket contained one pound OF
hominy, one pound of white beans, one-half
pound Of butter, one-half pound OF coffee,
one-fourth pound of tea. two pounds OF
sugar, one-half peck Of Irish potatoes.
one-fourth peck of onions and few apples.
Every family of six or eight persons was
was given turkey commensurate in size
or couple of chickens. Two ioaves of
bread were placed in each basket, and some
families were given a small sack of wheat
flour. Out of the AT baskets sent out last
night only four were returned, and these
because the drivers were unable to find the
families at the addresses turned into the
committee.
Members of the Committee.
Mrs. Mcfarland, wife of District Com
missioner Mcfarland, is president OF the
committee on lunch. and she has taken a
great interest in the arrangements for the
day, but she was prevented from being
present on account Of serious Illness. and
her place was filled by Mrs. Babcock. The
other members of the committee who look
ed after the wants of the hungry men at
the free dinner were Mrs. g. w. Wheeler.
Mrs. s. b. Carrigan, Mrs. c. j. Ladson,
Miss Hattie Craft, Mrs. w Arnold Mrs.
Murphy, Miss Alice Proctor, Mrs. NJ r.
Graves, Mrs. Clara Craft. Mrs. Julia
Brown, Mrs. Daisy Jewell and Miss Estelle
Wheeler.
The big chapel on the first floor OF the
mission was turned into a dining room.
Long tables were set lengthwise of the
room, and here a hungry horde of men
enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast. The bill
of fare consisted of roast turkey, pork and
beans, coffee. bread and butter and pie
and the amount was limited only to the ap-
petite or eaCh guest. Inc prac1nS weather
of the first really wintry day of the sea-
son brought a large number Of men to the
mission and they ate with ravenous relish.
Among the guests Were a number of news
boys who entered into the spirit OF the &C.
casion with an earnestness that was anus
ing to the older ones. who recalled the
days when they were wont to emulate ths
little fellows
Supplies for Five Hundred.
The tables presented an attractive app
pearance. Arrangements were made to
feed 800 persons and at o'clock this alters
noon Chairman Brown of the board Oh
directors said that it might be necessary 70
purchase more supplies.
mo one who applies here today shall go
hungry" he said, and this sentiment met
a cordial response from his colaborers in
the mission. AS on previous years the tur-
keys were all donated and, through the
kindness of Manager Shut, they were
roasted and prepared for the table at the
National Hotel.
Evangelistic services were held in the
auditorium, beginning at Il o'clock and
continuing hourly throughout the afternoon
and into the evening. These were conduct
ed by members of the mission The music
was an excellent feature. Dinner began at
1 o'clock and lasted throughout the after
noon.
The Associated Charities.
There was but little more than the usual
activity today at headquarters OF the Asso-
ciated Charities. SIS G street. Secretary
Weller was on duty. and IT was plain that
his conscience did not trouble him. for he
was assured that the Central Union Mis-
sion had delivered hundreds OF Thanksgiv-
ing dinners to many families recon-
mended by the Associated Charities. The
latter organization had done small
amount OF commissary distribution on its
own account, too.
The rather sudden change in the weather
and the appearance Of snow on the ground
this morning largely increased the appeals
for aid Perhaps the greatest hardship that
fails to the poor by reason of cold weather
Is lack or scarcity of fuel OF course. there
are many demands for food but an effort
was made to meet every application OF this
character today through the Central Union
Mission other means The plan Of the
Associated Charities Is to investigate every
case called to its attention and endeavor to
apply an adequate remedy based on ade-
quate knowledge.
There is one family In the District of CO.
iumbia today the members of which have
ample reason 10 give thanks. The family
consists OF three adults. Each was stricken
with typhoid fever recently and each In
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