Most people have never heard of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, and furthermore, don’t know that there are thousands of homeless men, women, and children right here in our very own community. The Waterfront Rescue Mission believes that awareness to the plight of the homeless community is essential to generating relief for some of their immediate and ongoing needs.

The Board of County Commissioners echoes that sentiment. They have proclaimed the week of November 11 – 17 as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

In a meeting held on October 4, a framed copy of the proclamation was given to Leo Gray, Executive Director of the Waterfront Rescue Mission. The proclamation acknowledges the Board’s recognition “that hunger and homelessness continue to be serious problems for many individuals and families in Escambia County.” Through the proclamation, the Board further “encourages all citizens to recognize that many people do not have housing or adequate sustenance and need support from citizens and private/public nonprofit service entities.” It also highlights the Waterfront Rescue Mission’s commitment to providing emergency shelter, meals, support services such as counseling and clothing, and addiction recovery programs, at no cost to the “least of these” in Escambia County, Florida for the past 57 years.

This is the first year that an organization has brought this movement to our area on a local level. The week, which has taken place nationally for the past several years, is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. The Waterfront Rescue Mission has planned activities throughout the week designed to get the community involved by raising awareness as well as needed items.