Turkey for Three Hundred

Refugees love Thanksgiving. Surprisingly many have already learned of the holiday even before arriving in America. And who better than a refugee can truly grasp the power and meaning of the sentiments which drive the celebration: the security of a bountiful harvest, the sweetness of sharing food with your neighbor, and the thankfulness of surrounding yourself with those you love.

 

So it was with great excitement that Tucson’s refugee community gathered together on November 19^th to celebrate the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner.  Over 300 refugees and volunteers arrived at Grace St. Paul’s Church bearing plate after plate of amazing food. All the classic dishes were represented, donated by generous community partners. But alongside the turkey and pumpkin pie sat pots of savory Ethiopian  vegetables, and Nepali mothers darted from table to table spooning out generous portions of rice.

 

Photo: Courtesy of TIARC

 

The Annual Thanksgiving Dinner represents an important collaboration between the IRC and a dozen refugee-service organizations in town. Each agency chips in their resources and makes sure that the invitation reaches every corner of Tucson’s growing refugee community. Special thanks goes to Tucson International Alliance of Refugee Communities (TIARC) and Erina Delic, Director and former refugee, for managing this fantastic celebration.

 

Click here to see more event photos.