Dear friends,

As the weather turns and the colors change, I’m reminded that Thanksgiving is a time to pause, to reflect with gratitude, and to recognize the blessings in our lives, especially the people we’re called to walk alongside.

For my family, growing up, Thanksgiving was never just about what was on the table. My parents would host, and while the family gathered around a meal, there was always room for someone else who didn’t have a place to go. That open invitation left a deep impression on me. Community can happen anywhere people are welcomed, seen, and valued.

Years later, my wife and I found ourselves living overseas. One year in England, where Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated, we invited over friends from school and introduced them to the holiday. We handed out recipes, cooked a turkey in a microwave-sized oven, and shared pumpkin pie. It wasn’t the meal that made the day so meaningful; rather it was the practice of going around the table and sharing what we were grateful for. Everyone participated. Everyone belonged.

Another year, in Lebanon, we hosted over 50 people from at least 25 different countries. Some brought dishes from their culture, others brought traditional Thanksgiving favorites, and we brought the same invitation to gratitude. It made me realize that a church community isn’t just a building, but a gathering of hearts grateful for God’s faithfulness.

This year, as we celebrate 125 years at Mel Trotter Ministries, I see that same spirit of community and gratitude at the core of who we are. One of the most powerful examples of this happens every year at Thanksgiving when generations of families come together to serve our community. Parents, children, and even grandchildren show up to prepare food and welcome our neighbors. It’s an incredible tradition of compassion passed down generation after generation, year after year. For more than a century, people like you have made sure that no one sits alone, no one is forgotten, and everyone has a place at the table, whether it’s for a hot meal, a safe bed, or a new beginning.

But the work isn’t finished. As we head into another busy season with the cold weather approaching, our Turkey Drop on the horizon, and thousands expected at our Thanksgiving Community Meal, we need your help. So I invite you to continue this legacy with us. Come volunteer. Share a meal. Drop off a turkey. Give generously. Or simply take a moment at your own table this year to remember that community can happen anywhere and it’s best when rooted in gratitude and centered around Christ.

Thank you for being part of this important work. Wishing you and your family a Thanksgiving full of joy and gratitude.

Blessings,

Chris Palusky
CEO
Mel Trotter Ministries

Patrick came to Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM), reeling from the impact of a job layoff that led to his eviction. With nowhere else to turn, he found safety in our shelter and enrolled in our workforce development program where he learned resume building and interviewing skills.

A few weeks into the program, our staff recognized signs of a deeper struggle and referred Patrick to our recovery program. In the first meeting with his case manager, Patrick openly shared that he had been drinking heavily every day for many years. That day, he chose to enter the recovery program and poured into the process of healing.

As the weeks passed, Patrick leaned on the support around him. One steady part of his day was the three meals in our cafeteria. Day after day, he came to the table, often still carrying the weight of his past, and sat with others facing similar struggles. He began to receive nourishment not just for his body, but for his spirit as he found a church home and built relationships with mentors and peers.

After spending four months in recovery, he completed the workforce development program, which led to his graduation from Next Step of West Michigan, a division of MTM. There he acquired hard skills in manufacturing, which ultimately led to him securing a job.

Today, Patrick is living in his own apartment, working at a cabinet manufacturing facility, and continuing to walk in sobriety with over a year since his last drink.

Those who knew Patrick when he first arrived remember a man who was pessimistic, angry, and unmotivated. But over time, they witnessed a change. Patrick became joyful, always smiling, working hard, and helping others. He even helped one fellow guest step back from relapsing, saving his life. “Patrick has overcome addiction and successfully pieced his life back together,” his case manager said. “Please keep him in your prayers as he moves onto the next leg of his journey.”

As for Patrick, he’s looking ahead with gratitude and hope. “My goals are to keep working in a wood shop because I like to work with my hands, to peacefully retire, and to never drink again.”

His former room is now ready for the next guest in need.

We are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside people like Patrick, and for the faithful friends like you who make stories like this possible. One meal at a time and one life at a time.