THIS IS AN ARCHIVED NEWS STORY FROM 2020 AND THE CONTENTS OF THIS ARTICLE MAY NO LONGER APPLY. FOR THE LATEST COMMUNITY NEWS CLICK HERE.

Every fall, the Coal Creek Family YMCA mobilizes its resources to ensure no family goes without on Thanksgiving day. Through donations of funds and non-perishable foods, the Y community comes together to build more than 100 Thanksgiving dinner kits, complete with a turkey and all of the regular fixings, for Newcastle families in need. 

In 2020, things looked a little bit different as the COVID-19 pandemic hit communities. In a year that has impacted families like never before, it became apparent that this program was more important than ever. That’s why the City of Newcastle teamed up with the Coal Creek Family YMCA and Aegis Gardens to ensure this program continued uninterrupted, providing families a memorable Thanksgiving, no matter what 2020 has thrown at all of us.

About 130 Newcastle families will have a Thanksgiving dinner on the table, thanks to the efforts of those community partners and volunteers.

“Thank you for running such a well-organized and much needed Thanksgiving program,” one person who received a dinner kit said. “My family has participated in the past and we were worried this year would be different. Please extend our thanks to your staff and partners for making this a reality.”

Another family member picking up a kit added that it “reminded us that we as humans are still connected. I know that sounds really cheesy but good God it’s very true.”

The City of Newcastle contributed more than $5,000 of its CARES Act funding to support the purchase of more than 100 turkeys and other non-perishable food items. Aegis Gardens helped facilitate the important purchase of turkeys through their food vendor, while CuliNex Kitchens in Tukwila donated refrigerator space to hold more than 100 turkeys. The YMCA packaged the Thanksgiving dinner kits and handed them out to families.