Gentle Thanksgiving 2008 Report

Continuing to grow each year, Gentle Thanksgiving demonstrates the increasing popularity and accessibility of vegan living. The annual campaign publicizes the plight of turkeys and encourages compassionate alternatives to cruel turkey dinners.

The online Events List features 280 registered events in 43 states plus Washington, DC. Activities included public vegan meals, cooking demonstrations, food sampling, information tables, exhibits, and literature distribution.

More than 100 public animal-friendly feasts attracted longtime vegans, newcomers, and veg-curious folks to enjoy delicious food, information, and good company. In the nation’s capital, hundreds gathered for a gourmet vegan dinner, guest speaker, and door prizes. Durham, NC attracted 600 people from 42 cities for an all-vegan Thanksgiving feast. In Haiku, HI, 400 people attended a full day of cooking demonstrations, nutrition orientations, a vegan holiday meal, and other festivities. Similar events took place across the country.

Nearly 50 health food stores provided free vegan information and recipes to customers. Dozens of restaurants in major cities offered special vegan Thanksgiving dinners. More than two dozen universities and colleges hosted educational activities and veggie meals on campus. Animal sanctuaries opened their doors to the public, hosting potlucks, vegan gourmet dinners, and educational activities.

Throughout November, caring people distributed more than 18,000 colorful Gentle Thanksgiving handouts to family, friends, and community member. Each handout explains the suffering of turkeys in factory farms and slaughterhouses, and offers a free Veg Starter Kit and weekly recipe e-mails. Over the past month alone, FARM received approximately 1,000 requests for Veg Starter Kits.

In response to the annual Presidential Turkey Pardon, FARM wrote a letter to President Bush requesting that he pardon every turkey destined to become a White House dinner for the holidays. Click here for details.

Several thousand press releases were sent to food and lifestyle editors, and to talk show producers. Newspaper articles, television features, and radio interviews created much public awareness. Letters to the editor were published in nearly 100 newspapers across the country.

Special thanks to the many compassionate people who observed a Gentle Thanksgiving by eating cruelty-free holiday foods and spreading the message of kindness to others.

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