The Roanoke Rescue Mission’s day didn’t end with the Drumstick Dash. After the run, organizers continued the tradition of their annual Thanksgiving lunch.

Every year for Thanksgiving, thousands line up in downtown Roanoke for the Rescue Mission’s annual Drumstick Dash. This year, while the weather wasn’t perfect, more than 7,000 people hit the street to ensure that people will have food to eat.

The Drumstick Dash returns to Roanoke on Thanksgiving morning to support the Rescue Mission's efforts in funding over 200,000 meals annually.

Millions of Americans face the risk of homelessness due to financial instability. A couple staying at the Roanoke Rescue Mission shares their struggles with finding affordable housing and their gratitude for receiving free haircuts before their wedding.

The Roanoke Rescue Mission will be keeping cool going into the spring and summer thanks to a new HVAC unit donation.

The Roanoke Rescue Mission is seeing a 30% increase in people staying at the shelter as the U.S. homeless population hit a record high.

Thousands of runners filled the streets of Downtown Roanoke Thursday for the annual Drumstick Dash.

Drumstick Dash organizers said they’re still looking for volunteers to help them direct traffic the day of the race.

The countdown is on for the Drumstick Dash.

The Roanoke Rescue Mission celebrated it's 75th birthday Sunday.

The Roanoke Rescue Mission, “Coca Cola Consolidated,” and Kroger teamed up to pack 400 Manna Food boxes.

The Roanoke Police Department is currently searching for a 75-year-old woman who they say has dementia.

The Roanoke City Sheriff's Department partnered with KoolKids Sunday to bring meals to people experiencing homelessness.

Roanoke City leaders gathered Sunday to get input from the public on homelessness.

The new lights offer lower maintenance and substantially lower electricity costs.

The idea behind the day of service was ‘practice what you preach,’ showing students that service extends beyond the classroom.

Celebrate WSLS Day at the Salem by getting discounted wristbands when you bring new pairs of socks.

The Roanoke Rescue Mission is looking for volunteers ahead of its 2022 race. The event is the mission's biggest fundraiser of the year.

Roanoke Rescue Mission officials say they need your support during Holy Week.

Roanoke City’s new camping ban ordinance takes effect on January 1, making it illegal for anyone to sleep on sidewalks in parts of downtown Roanoke.

The Roanoke Rescue Mission is making sure children in need have something under the tree this year through its annual North Pole program.

If you’re looking to give back this holiday season, one of Roanoke’s largest homeless shelters is looking for some sweet treats.

The Drumstick Dash was ran in-person this year with a new course on the Greenway.

The Roanoke Rescue Mission still needs around 1,500 people to sign up for this year’s Drumstick Dash.

On Tuesday at the Salem Fair, it’s all about giving back.

ROANOKE, Va – The Roanoke Rescue Mission hit a major milestone in the battle against COVID-19 on Wednesday by hosting its first mass vaccination clinic. Matthews is one of more than 100 staff members and residents who got their first COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday. Because the rescue mission is a shelter it falls under phase 1b for vaccination. AdThe rescue mission hasn’t seen any COVID-19 outbreaks aside from a handful of isolated cases. Matthews says she and her fellow Rescue Mission residents feel excited and blessed to get vaccinated.

ROANOKE, Va. – Serving up savory and sweet dishes to go have people like Reginald Brantley licking their lips this Thanksgiving. “You know that they got a good meal today on Thanksgiving here,” Brantley said. I’m ready to go eat it now.”The Roanoke Rescue Mission was prepared to serve nearly 400 meals today to the less fortunate by car or socially-distanced inside. Though Thanksgiving is a time for the family to gather, Kevin Barry, the community outreach manager at the Rescue Mission, said sometimes they are the only family the homeless have. Brantley said the Rescue Mission encouraged him to move forward.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA – Homeless shelters and soup kitchens are preparing for one of the busiest days of the year. The Roanoke Rescue Mission is offering two options: socially distanced indoor dining open to the community and drive-through curbside service where you can take your Thanksgiving meal to-go. “A lot of our regular volunteers are seniors, they’re retired and high risk for a variety of reasons. At RAM House in Roanoke, volunteers like Pat Oberlin, are prepared to pack to-go Thanksgiving meals and snacks, homeless individuals will be allowed to eat indoors. “You can see it in their hearts that they really appreciate what we’re doing here for them.”For these volunteers, Thanksgiving is about giving back at a time when people need help now more than ever.

ROANOKE, Va – Exclusive swag? Organizers of the annual Drumstick Dash are encouraging people to register before Monday to get some additional swag this year. This year’s race, hosted by Roanoke Rescue Mission, will be virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions. The first 2,500 people who sign up for the race before Monday will get an exclusive hooded t-shirt that’s completely new this year. All the proceeds from the run go to helping feed thousands of people at the Roanoke Rescue Mission each year.

ROANOKE, Va – The annual Drumstick Dash in Roanoke does much more than get people up and move before that big Thanksgiving meal. The event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Roanoke Rescue Mission to help feed those in need. On Tuesday, the Roanoke Rescue Mission announced its annual race would be virtual, allowing people to run throughout the month of November. Berry said the demand for services at the Rescue Mission has gone up during the pandemic. The annual Salem Half Marathon is also going virtually.

ROANOKE, Va. – A huge donation to the Roanoke Rescue Mission has now doubled thanks to your generous giving. As we’ve reported, Skolrood Law Firm agreed to match donations up to $100,000. The Mission spent all July working to raise the money. We are happy to report they reached their goal and now $200,000 will go toward feeding and sheltering an increasing number of families in need. Sisson said now that rent, mortgage and utility assistance is being lifted, they’re seeing the true need for housing help.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Rescue Mission is celebrating 72 years of serving the community, but it needs the community’s help to keep going. The homeless shelter is hoping to raise $100,000 by the end of July. Friday, the shelter held an outdoor community celebration with music, water balloons and frozen lemonade to mark the milestone. The shelter hoped to raise $10,000 on Friday. To donate, contact the Rescue Mission.

ROANOKE, Va. – A homeless shelter in Roanoke is taking precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Roanoke Rescue Mission has 400 beds for the homeless population in the Roanoke Valley, there’s no question that it’s close quarters. CEO Lee Clark said the homeless shelter is open 24/7 and hundreds of people stay there every night. “We definitely could use more volunteers,” Clark said. The shelter also has rooms available to quarantine guests and in an emergency, they can be taken to a hospital.

ROANOKE, Va. – Thursday marked the 14th annual Atlantic Union Bank Drumstick Dash in downtown Roanoke. The Drumstick Dash is a time to give thanks. “We have to be grateful for what God has given us, the opportunity to come here and serve, run so people can eat. Kevin Spencer who volunteers as the race mascot, Dash, said, “You can tell people you did something today that helped the homeless.”The Drumstick Dash started as a small way to raise money for Rescue Mission’s food budget. Over the past 14 years, the Drumstick Dash has raised $3 million for those in need.

ROANOKE, Va. – Hundreds of people in need enjoyed a warm Thanksgiving Day meal thanks to the Rescue Mission Ministries and volunteers. After the Drumstick Dash, the Rescue Mission hosted its annual Thanksgiving Day Feast. It’s a chance a to bring the community together, volunteers and those in need, even if they live different lives. Our family is our community and that’s what this is about is sitting down with those in your community no matter who they are and sharing this time with them," said Kevin Berry, Community Outreach and Marketing Manager at Rescue Mission. If you want to learn how to give back with Rescue Mission Ministries in Roanoke, click here.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Drumstick Dash is just two days away. The Thanksgiving Day race in Roanoke brings out thousands of people every year. Organizers are again asking for volunteers for Thursday to help serve as race marshals, crowd control personnel and race guides. The Drumstick Dash is the Roanoke Rescue Mission's biggest fundraiser, providing nearly all the funding it needs to feed people. Click here to find out how you can sign up to participate in the race.

ROANOKE, Va. – Pass the Roanoke Rescue Mission and you may see the white flag waving. The flag goes go up when it’s 42 degrees and dry or 48 degrees and wet. The shelter encourages people who need to get out of the weather to use the shelter. Whether it’s case management, addiction services and anything like that,” said Kevin Berry, the community outreach with Roanoke Rescue Mission. Even if the shelter is at full capacity workers there are prepared with additional mattresses to accommodate as many people as possible.

It gave me confidence and that's a big step," said Robertson, shelter services assistantNow he's works with To Our House, helping others. "Our overall mission is to get the men and women back into society, give them a leg up on what's available in the community,"To Our House is in its 10th housing season. From November to late March the Winter Overnight Shelter opens to single men and women in the new River Valley. It's just a way to be involved in the community," said Wanda Childs, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church. "The doors are open, and we're ready for them,"TOH can be reached at 540-382-6186 weekdays and 540-320-1273 weekends and after hours.

ROANOKE, Va. - A craft that's quickly turned into a calling, Sassy Stitchers in the Roanoke Valley is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children, military veterans and the elderly each year. "Sassy Stitchers is a bunch of us old ladies that can't get around very good ... and we try to do the best we can, said founder Bonnie McKee. Someone said something smart and I said I guess we are the Sassy Stitchers and I guess it stuck, Bonnie said with a laugh. While they have fun doing what they do, the group now spends retirement quilting for a cause. If you or your church could help, call Bonnie at 540-570-0360 and leave a message.

ROANOKE, Va. - A craft that's quickly turned into a calling, Sassy Stitchers in the Roanoke Valley is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children, military veterans and the elderly each year. "Sassy Stitchers is a bunch of us old ladies that can't get around very good ... and we try to do the best we can, said founder Bonnie McKee. Someone said something smart and I said I guess we are the Sassy Stitchers and I guess it stuck, Bonnie said with a laugh. While they have fun doing what they do, the group now spends retirement quilting for a cause. If you or your church could help, call Bonnie at 540-570-0360 and leave a message.

ROANOKE, Va. - The Roanoke Rescue Mission is asking for your help to support its annual school supply drive. Organizers are they're asking you to donate everything from paper and notebooks to highlighters and glue sticks to fill book bags for kids in need for the Back 2 School Blast. They're accepting donations through Aug. 5. The donations will benefit more than 1,000 children throughout the community. Click here to find out what's needed, how you can help and how to register your child to receive a book bag.

ROANOKE (WSLS) - 1500 kids from the Roanoke Valley received free school supplies at today's "Back 2 School Blast". The event is held annually by the Roanoke Rescue Mission in an effort to help local families in need. This year, the mission was able to provide supplies for 150 more kids than last year making this it's largest event yet. The mission estimates that it costs more than $100 to prepare a kid for school. Without the event, some local parents say their kids would not start school with all of the supplies needed.