Epworth Foundation seeks to serve 3,000 Denver families for Thanksgiving

The Epworth Foundation is aiming to restore part of Denver’s longtime Thanksgiving tradition by serving 3,000 families on Nov. 21. Agency registration closes Oct. 23, public nominations open Oct. 26 and sponsorships are available as the group works to rebuild capacity after a cutback last year.

Why it matters: - The Denver Feed-A-Family effort is trying to rebuild after funding challenges forced a smaller distribution last year. - Serving 3,000 families would mark progress toward restoring the event’s traditional reach and keeping a decades-old holiday meal tradition alive in Denver. - Each Thanksgiving basket is meant to provide food, relief and dignity for families facing financial strain.

What happened: - The Epworth Foundation is moving ahead with the 2026 Denver Feed-A-Family campaign, set for Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026. - The event honors Daddy Bruce Randolph and carries the theme “Rooted in Gratitude, Rising in Strength.” - The Foundation wants to provide Thanksgiving meals to 3,000 Denver families. - Agency registration closes Friday, Oct. 23. - Public family nominations open Monday, Oct. 26.

The details: - The Thanksgiving tradition began in 1963, when Daddy Bruce Randolph set out to make sure neighbors would have a holiday meal. - The Epworth Foundation says it has helped carry that legacy forward and has served more than 180,000 families through community outreach. - Last year, the Foundation reduced its Thanksgiving distribution from 5,000 baskets to 2,500 because of funding challenges. - The Foundation is inviting community agencies, neighborhood organizations and service providers to help connect eligible families with assistance. - Sponsorship opportunities range from $5,000 to $75,000. - More information about agency registration, public nominations and volunteering is available at the Foundation’s website. - Donation and sponsorship information is available through the 2026 Denver Feed-A-Family sponsorship page.

Between the lines: - The campaign is as much about rebuilding community capacity as it is about distributing food. - The Foundation is using the milestone of 3,000 families as a visible step toward regaining the scale it once had. - Executive Director Xiomara Yanique framed the effort as a response to both need and legacy, saying the group remains committed to families who depend on the program. - A 2025 recipient, Denver resident Rose Neblot, described the help as meaningful after losing her job and running into waiting lists at other food providers.

What's next: - Agencies need to complete registration by Oct. 23. - Families can be nominated beginning Oct. 26. - The community will be asked to support the drive through sponsorships, donations and volunteering ahead of the Nov. 21 distribution. - The Foundation says continued support from businesses, civic groups, faith communities, volunteers and individual donors will determine how many families it can reach.

The bottom line: - Epworth is trying to turn a reduced Thanksgiving distribution into a comeback year, with a goal of helping 3,000 Denver families gather a holiday meal at home.