This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)– Each year, Bridge House / Grace House hosts its annual Thanksgiving Dinner to kick off the holiday week. This year’s dinner is prepared by the New Orleans Marriott.

Hundreds of homeless gathered at the Bridge House/ Grace House thrift store on Camp street for a hot meal. The event provides a traditional holiday meal, toiletries, clothing from the Bridge House / Grace House Thrift Stores as well as fellowship to the homeless and indigent population of the Greater New Orleans Area.

“Our primary population, we want to be here for homeless individuals who are suffering with substance abuse issues, so we target that population we also serve indigent, and uninsured,” said Bridge House Grace House CEO, Else Pedersen.

The homeless dinner also helps to raise awareness within this population of the substance abuse treatment services provided by Bridge House / Grace House.