FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Rev. John Samaan, President and CEO, Boston Rescue Mission. 617-338-9000 x1216 office, 617-504-4897 mobile

BOSTON, November 20, 2005 - On Sunday, November 20, 2005 the Boston Rescue Mission served 500 of the city's homeless men, women and children with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner during their 13th Annual "Day of Thanks", and distributed over 200 holiday food baskets to local disadvantaged families.

Several special guests participated in the event including Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Massachusetts State Senator Dianne Wilkerson. "Each day the Boston Rescue Mission offers helping hands of support and kindness to those in the greatest need," said Governor Mitt Romney. "We've made tremendous progress fighting homelessness and remain committed to providing the assistance necessary for people to raise themselves up and become productive and self-sufficient members of the community." stated Governor Romney.

More than 2,000 lbs. of turkey, 1,000 lbs. of mashed potatoes, 500 lbs. of vegetables, 200 loaves of bread, 280 gallons of juice, and 300 lbs. of pie with ice cream were shared with hungry women, men, and children from the Greater Boston Area. Mayor Menino said, "The hours of preparation for this annual dinner speak to the level of commitment of the Boston Rescue Mission to meeting the needs of those with the greatest needs of all. It is part of what Boston is doing to expand homelessness prevention."

Since 1899, the Boston Rescue Mission has been providing the basic necessities of life to the poor and homeless, along with programs and services that assist men and women in breaking out of the cycle of homelessness and addiction into autonomy and mainstream society. Our continuum of care approach has provided clients with a wide variety of programs and services that include: food and shelter, a food pantry, a residential recovery program, individualized case management, and life and vocational skill development.

"I join with the Governor and the Mayor in commending the leadership of John Samaan for the last decade and the Boston Rescue Mission for the last century in caring for the state's most vulnerable citizens as an example of the hospitality and compassion we celebrate in faith communities across the country," stated Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the Untied States Interagency Council on Homelessness. "And the new emphasis on housing solutions for the disabled places the Mission in the center of Boston's, the Commonwealth's, and the nation's commitment to end chronic homelessness."

More than 60 local volunteers including representatives from supporting area businesses were on hand to help out. Food and supplies were donated by local businesses and other agencies including: Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, Prince, Lobel, Glovsky & Tye LLP, Appleton Partners, New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., New England Coffee Company and the Greater Boston Food Bank.

Reverend John Samaan said, "We are very grateful for our supporters and volunteers who make this special celebration possible every year. Hundreds of our neighbors in need rely on us for the turkeys and the food baskets to be able to celebrate this cherished American family tradition in their homes. This is only possible because of the generosity of many of our supporters. We hope that more people will partner with us next year!"

Photos will be available on Monday, November 21st at 9am for downloading at www.silvershots.com. Please enter "Boston Rescue Mission" within the Client Identification box on the Silvershots website. For reference, photo _DSC2331.jpg on p.7 shows, from left to right, Governor Mitt Romney, Senator Dianne Wilkerson, Director Philip Mangano, Angela Menino, Mayor Thomas Menino, and Ann Romney serving turkey dinner.

See an NECN feature on the Day of Thanks at: www.boston.com