Gallery: 2017 Thanksgiving Banquet

An estimated 1,000 hungry men, women, and children were served a delicious Thanksgiving meal of turkey and all the trimmings by volunteers at the final Great Thanksgiving Banquet hosted by the Orlando Union Rescue Mission at the old Men’s Home in downtown Orlando.

Guests also received coats and other clothing, as well as hygiene items donated by Central Florida churches, schools, businesses, and and individuals.

The Mission moved into former New England Hotel, 410 W. Central Blvd., in July of 1960. The iconic 21-foot red neon cross was erected in February of 1962 at a cost of $772 and was designated a historic landmark by the Orlando City Council in 2002.

A new Men’s Home is nearing completion at the site of the former Parkwood Inn, 3300 W. Colonial Drive. The Mission will host its annual Christmas Banquet at the new location on Dec. 22, 2017.