VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – It’s a time to give thanks, but also provide hope.

Tomorrow, the Union Gospel Mission will be holding its annual Thanksgiving feast for those on the Downtown Eastside. And it’s not just those struggling that show up for the meal.

Bruce Curtiss with the UGM says many who used to be down and out come year after year, like one pair of former addicts that met on the street.

“They actually got into recovery. They’ve been clean and sober, have a little daughter and they are doing wonderful,” Curtiss explains. “They attribute it back to the idea that one of our tag lines is ‘hope begins with a meal’ and that brought them here, but it was the other things that put them on the path they’re on now.”

He adds tomorrow’s meal is not just about the food.

“This is a time for friends and family, and this is one of those way to connect and reconnect and make sure people aren’t alone, aren’t depressed and aren’t feeling like they’re forgotten about or abandoned. It’s a big community-wide invite.”

The UGM expects over 3,000 turkey dinners to be served at its East Hastings dining room.