An Ohio church is set to give away 20,000 pounds of food, including 300 turkeys, to needy families this Thanksgiving.
Rust City Church, located in Niles will host the event on Wednesday evening as part of their initiative called “Give Back Before You Kick Back.” The church has an average weekly worship attendance of 1,000 people.
In addition to the food, church volunteers will provide essential items for Families in need, including diapers for parents with babies, according to Pastor Karl Wendel of Rust City Church.
The food distribution will take place at the Eastwood Mall parking lot, which is on the church's campus, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visitors can look forward to hot cocoa and a hot dog cart while they wait, and volunteers will offer prayers to those receiving free food.
Last year, the church helped around 350 local families during the ”Give Back Before You Kick Back“ event, and organizers anticipate that number will increase to 400 this year.
Wendel noted, “The scale has grown significantly, reflecting our church’s deepened commitment to serving the community and addressing food insecurity,” highlighting the impact of the Thanksgiving giveaway compared to previous years.
“We hope to convey God’s love and care through this outreach, reminding people they are seen, valued, and not alone,” Wendel added. “This is about more than meeting physical needs — it’s about fostering hope and connection.”
Beyond the annual Thanksgiving food giveaway, Rust City Church also conducts a “Midweek Outreach,” providing weekly assistance to the needy in the community by delivering groceries to as many as 150 families each week.
