Norman nonprofit The Mission will hold its inaugural Tip the Trailer, a Thanksgiving food drive Tuesday evening to collect holiday food items for families in need.
Founded in 1998 by Gene Barnes, The Mission is a publicly supported nonprofit that aims to serve people who are hungry or homeless. According to its website, The Mission provides meals to 700 families per month.
The Mission annually holds the Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, in which the organization provides baskets of meals and canned goods for families in need. According to Rebecca Dossey, The Mission’s AmeriCorp development and fundraising liaison, the organization passed out 1,000 baskets last year and have raised this year's goal.
Packaged bags at the 2023 Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway.
Tip the Trailer is sponsored by nonprofit Middle Ground, which was founded by OU sophomore Gretchen Hansz. Dossey said she was approached by Hansz to develop a fundraiser, and the two came up with Tip the Trailer, a food drive event that will directly benefit the Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway.
“(Hansz) has been very instrumental in getting all of this set up, and I'm very proud of her and very happy that she was able to do it,” Dossey said. “I'm hoping that it turns out well, just for the fact that the work that she's put in it as well, so she can feel good about what she's done.”
The event will feature a bounce house, karaoke, a three-legged race with a prize and other outdoor games. Pins for Purpose will also be at the fundraiser for guests who want to create their own pins showing support for the event. The Mission will also serve Indian tacos to guests who donate five or more nonperishable goods.
Tip the Trailer is made possible by the work of The Mission’s staff, clients and volunteers.
“We have volunteers involved. We have staff involved. We have clients involved, so it's kind of a full circle community type of thing,” Dossey said.
Tip the Trailer will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at The Mission at 2525 E. Lindsey St. Other volunteer and donation opportunities can be found on The Mission’s website.
This story was edited by Shelby Emery. Kylie Caldwell and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
