{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=59fedd31-143c-4fc4-ab0b-0c9ab6ec047e", "Union Mission provides Thanksgiving dinner for those in need | WV MetroNews", "2014-11-26", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "WV", "Joe Manchin", "M001183", "www.manchin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 26, 2014\n\t\t\t Union Mission provides Thanksgiving dinner for those in need | WV MetroNews \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCHARLESTON, W. Va. \u2013 Volunteers gathered in Downtown Charleston to provide those in need an extra Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday.\r\nThe Union Mission Crossroad Homeless Shelter was the site for the organization annual, starting about 24 years ago, event where hundreds were expect to come through.\r\n\u201cWe anticipate up to 500 people that will be served through out time together,\u201d Rex Whiteman, President and CEO of Union Mission said. \u201cIt\u2019s a tradition for us to help do it a day before Thanksgiving because simply because we want to spread out the events because churches and Frankie Veltri\u2019s foundation does it [Thursday]. It kinda makes it a little more special for more than one day.\u201d\r\nAmong those offering their time to help serve the meals was U.S. Senator Joe Manchin. He and others said it was a way to share your blessings this Holiday season.\r\n\u201cNo matter what your lot in life may be, no matter how difficult your challenges you might have in life, you\u2019re always able to give something back,\u201d Manchin said. \u201cTo be able to contribute just a kind word or a little bit of your time or volunteer this or that, everybody can do that.\u201d\r\nManchin also lauded the efforts of the mission, not just during the Holiday season, but throughout the entire year.\r\n\u201cTo have the Union Mission that basically does it 365 days, it\u2019s a labor of love,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just one day where they come out and show good will, they do it every day, every single day. For us to come down, and me to come down and say thank you. This is my way of saying thank you for what you do every single day.\u201d\r\nWhiteman said he was pleased with the number of volunteers that came out Wednesday because it both makes the event stay organized and raises awareness of other opportunities available to volunteer through the year.\r\nAll anyone has to do, he said, is call the mission at 304-925-0366.\r\n\u201cWe have volunteer coordinators ready to take their call and ready to help them plug in to an activity of involvement,\u201d Whiteman said. \u201cThe mission has many programs, many places that we serve. We\u2019re working in a lot of areas.\u201d\r\nAnother event coming for the mission on Thanksgiving Day is the 4th Annual Drumstick Dash 5K run/walk. Participants for the 9 a.m. race will \u201cshuffle their feet so others can eat\u201d as all proceeds will go toward feeding the homeless and canned food donations are encouraged.\r\nMore information on the event can be found at drumstickdashwv.com\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t    By:\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t    Aaron Payne\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/in-the-news?ContentRecord_id=59fedd31-143c-4fc4-ab0b-0c9ab6ec047e"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9743750561028719, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}