Union Gospel Mission serves 2,500 Thanksgiving meals [Video]

Thanksgiving weekend is a time for many of us to connect with family, but for those less fortunate, it can be a difficult time of year.

Thanks to the Union Gospel Mission, though, thousands of people at locations around the Lower Mainland got to enjoy a turkey dinner over the long weekend.

That includes at the location on Hastings Street.

In all, the organization served up 22,000 pounds of turkey to grateful people struggling with homelessness, addiction and poverty.

The organization welcomed plenty of regulars—and also a man making a triumphant return after beating his addiction.

“I haven’t eaten here – this dinner – since 25 years ago, when I left the Downtown Eastside to sober up,” David Amm told CTV News Vancouver while eating at UGM’s location on Hastings Street. “I’ve been sober – clean and sober now – for 24-and-a-half years.”

That kind of journey is why those at the mission are still carrying that work …