Mission Thanksgiving began eight years ago as a joint venture between three partners: Arrow Ford, Cumulus Broadcasting and KTXS. Over the years this event has grown into the area's largest annual effort to raise food, money and clothes for the poor and homeless. Throughout the day KTXS News Anchors will broadcast live on KTXS, KTES and CW along with many of our radio friends including our co-partners Cumulus Broadcasting and KGNZ. Other Stations that participate include all ClearChannel Stations and KWKC.

In Abilene alone there are over 400 residential homeless and thousands of poor. It is estimated that 1,200 transient homeless pass through our area each year. While there are many agencies in Abilene that work with the disadvantaged, Mission Thanksgiving's efforts all go to support Love and Care Ministries.


This Non Profit organization is run by Mark Hewitt, Executive Director and Founder.  Each day this organization goes to the streets of Abilene and drives to various areas where homeless people camp.  There they provide food, clothes, assistance and medical or dental services where needed.

Last year, Mission Thanksgiving filled 8.5 semi-trailers. 6-trailers were filled with clothing while 2.5 were filled with clothing from the 3,500 cars that passed through the donation lines at the Arrow Ford Parking Lot. Many people choose to donate money instead of clothes or food.  Last year Mission Thanksgiving received over $43,000 dollars from our generous viewers.

With all of this effort, the food and clothes that are donated are given out within 6-months. Love and Care Ministries fed over 200,000 meals in 2005. With 31-cents, they are able to provide a sack lunch.  With $5, they can feed 16-people. With $500 they can feed 1,600 meals.

Items to Donate

• Socks
• Underwear
• Boots
• Coats
• Blankets
• Sleeping Bags
• Clothing
• Bottled Water
• Non-perishable
• Food
• Thermal
• Underwear
• Travel Size
• Personal
• Hygiene Items

Sponsors

• C & W Leasing
• Penski's
• Coke
• Sam's Wholesale
• Tx. Dept of Transportation
• Lamar
• Abilene Reporter-News
• Bob Leedy
• Dale Doby
• Mark & Kerri Hewitt
• Jim & Debbie Deberry
• Bill & Pat Carroll
• Sara Core
  Jacob & Martin
• Remax
• NTS
• Abilene Aero
• Abilene Portable Building
• First Financial
• Larry & Patricia
• Canada & Associates
• Abilene Sports Medicine & Orthopedics
• Perry & Hunter Hall
• Hamil Family Funeral Home
• Whitten Inn
• Weatheral & Associates
• The Paint Center
• Turner Biological
• Bob Eagle
• Southwest Insurance
• Sylvan Learning Center
• HEB
• Ray & Susan Ussery
• Panian & Mash
• Battle Homes & Improvement
• CBS Insurance
• Tim McClarty
• Associated Contractors
• Spaghetti Warehouse