The Waterfront Rescue Mission will now add noon meals to their plate of service to the homeless and less fortunate in Pensacola.
The Mission, located at 16 W. Main Street, has taken the initiative in the wake of the recent closing of the Jesus Cares Center, which operated just blocks away. The decision was not a hard one to make for the organization that has catered to those in need for more than five decades. “We knew that there would be a gap that needed to be filled,” said Leo Gray, Executive Director of Waterfront Rescue Mission.
The downtown Mission under the direction of Program Director Joe Raley will serve the additional meals consisting of sandwiches, snack cakes, and water or juice Monday thru Friday from 11 am until 12:30 pm; an undertaking which Raley says he realizes will take the help and support of the community to accomplish. “When you help others, you always seem to get back so much more than you put in,” Raley explains. “Because of the generosity of local churches, members of the community and local businesses we’re happy to be able to fill a need that has come about because another ministry in town has closed its doors.”
The Mission is asking for donations of deli meats, sliced cheese, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, jelly, condiments, and bottled water. In addition, they are also seeking volunteers that would prepare and serve the meals as well as minister the love of God to those in need of help. Donations can be dropped off at the Mission, and those desiring to volunteer can do so by contacting Natalie Smith at (888) 853-8655 toll free.
Since 1949, the Waterfront Rescue Mission has been aiming “To Demonstrate God’s Goodness by Providing Rescue and Recovery Services in Jesus’ Name”. Last year, the Mission provided more than 193,000 meals, and 66,448 nights of shelter. In addition, the Mission’s Great Thanksgiving and Christmas Banquets feed an estimated 9,200 in Pensacola, Ft. Walton, and Mobile. With rescue and recovery facilities presently in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Ft. Walton, and Mobile, the Mission continues to strive to meet the needs of the lost, the last, and the least.