Newtown Congregational Church is hosting its fifth annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive to help feed those who rely on Bridgeport Rescue Mission.

The mission this month will provide more than 20,000 Thanksgiving meals for those in need, those in recovery, and those who are homeless.

The public is invited to donate a turkey, fixings for side dishes, or financial donations for Thanksgiving at the mission. Donations of winter clothing, including coats, in very good condition, are also being requested.

Turkeys and fixings will be accepted at the church, 14 West Street, November 15-21.

Turkeys should be between 12 and 15 pounds and frozen.

Donations can be taken to the church office, using the building’s lower entrance (through the overhang), Tuesday through Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm.

They can also be dropped off when Cornerstone ministry is open (using the lower eastern door), Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 3 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 1:30 pm; and Monday, 9:30 to 11 am.

Donations may also be put into the kitchen, by way of the upper rear parking lot entrance, Saturday mornings between 8:30 and 9 am; and also dropped off before, during, and after Sunday worship service and gathering time, 9:45 am until approximately 11:45 am.

For those making a financial donations, organizers request that checks be written to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, with “Thanksgiving Turkey Drive” on the memo line, and dropped in the church office.

For additional information, contact NCC member Gary Peters, 203-268-8830.

Last year’s NCC collection resulted in 26 frozen turkeys and plenty of fixings being delivered by Mr Peters to the mission one week before Thanksgiving.