Media Release from Jeremy Reynalds
at Joy Junction
info@joyjunction.org
City Pulls Out of Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless. Says Possible “Encumbrance” Upon Next Administration
Joy Junction homeless shelter officials were shocked to hear that the Albuquerque city administration-headed by Mayor Richard Berry who has been nationally praised as a homeless advocate-would no longer partially sponsor its annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
The pre-Thanksgiving Day feast has been held annually for about the last 15 years, with the convention center donating facility rental.
Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds said a city official said the reason was that such a commitment could possibly be an “encumbrance” upon the next mayoral administration.
Typically, as many as 1,200 homeless and hungry people are provided a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, served to them by hundreds of volunteers.
However, as the city bowed out, Albuquerque’s Peterson Properties stepped in. The group will be covering the deficit left by the city.
Reynalds added, “I’m extremely grateful to Doug Peterson and his company. They exemplify the spirit of Albuquerque-generosity, commitment and a care and concern for our city’s less fortunate.”
