Volunteers gather for 75th annual holiday meal at Rescue Mission Ministries
Roanoke, Virginia – In the spirit of Christmas, many residents in our hometowns have chosen to give back to the community, a tradition upheld by Rescue Mission Ministries for an impressive 75 years. This year, over 100 volunteers devoted their Christmas morning to ensure the continuation of this heartwarming legacy.
The Rescue Mission Ministries, supported by a host of volunteers and contributions from various sources like Kroger, local churches, and individual families, successfully organized a massive holiday meal for the community. The meticulous planning and preparation for this event spanned several weeks, involving menu planning and gathering of resources.
Lee Clark, the CEO of Rescue Mission Ministries, shared, “We’ve been preparing literally for weeks. Planning the menu, getting the food all in place, asking for Christmas cookies, everyone’s dived in to make this possible.” The expectation was to serve around 400 people, with options to dine in or take away meals through a curbside system.
Clark further emphasized the collective spirit of the volunteers, “As the volunteers gathered this morning we prayed together, we prayed together over this day, over the rescue mission, that everyone would feel sense of blessing and welcome as they come through these doors.”
Susan Morgan, a dedicated volunteer who arrived early in the morning, expressed her commitment, “Busy very busy, I think I’ve walked a couple thousand steps already.” This being her third year volunteering for Christmas, Morgan feels a profound connection to this cause, “I love it, when im not here I really miss it, the lord has done so much for me that I have to bless someone else. And this is a way of doing that. I could stay home but then I wouldn’t be doing what I need to do, we’re called to be his hands and feet and that’s what I need to be today.”
Rescue Mission Ministries, a beacon of hope and support, never closes its doors and continually invites individuals to volunteer. Their call to action is a reminder of the impact community service can have, not just during the holidays, but all year round. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.
