122 Years of Service
DenverRescueMission.org
March 2014
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in... Matthew 25:35 (NIV)
THE MISSION
MEALS AT
MORE THAN 840,000 COLORADANS—16.2% OF THE POPULATION—FACED FOOD HARDSHIP IN 2012, meaning that they experienced a time when there was not enough money to buy food for themselves or their family. (Based on Food Research and Action Center, Food Hardship in America 2012, February 2013, and Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2012, September 2013)
For most of us, a healthy meal provides sustenance. It gives us the strength we need to make it through the day. At the Mission, every meal is an opportunity. It’s an opportunity for us to teach someone a life skill as simple as cooking or cleaning. It’s an opportunity for volunteers to learn and grow by listening to the story of someone different than themselves. It’s an opportunity for program participants to connect with each other, finding nourishment for body and soul. And most importantly, it’s an opportunity to share the love of Jesus.
LAWRENCE STREET SHELTER Our downtown shelter is by far the busiest location. We serve nearly 750 meals every single day, 365 days a year. Meal preparation begins at 3:30 in the morning, and the stoves don’t turn off until 7:00 at night. Men, women and children all over Denver rely on our kitchen to provide the nourishment they need for the day. Similarly, we rely on our talented team of chefs to create delicious meals using the generously donated food. We also count on our dedicated volunteers who humbly serve meals each day.
THE CROSSING The Crossing Café serves three meals a day, just like our Lawrence Street Shelter. The Café provides food to families in our STAR Transitional Program, interns who work and learn at the Mission throughout the year, staff who work in the building, and men in our New Life Program. Some of these men assist in the cooking and maintenance of The Crossing’s kitchen, learning valuable life skills before they find jobs outside of the Mission. The meals at the Café bring people together, creating a familystyle environment every day.
We serve over 1,700 meals each day at the Mission. Thank you for helping us keep the homeless in our community warm and well-fed.
THE MISSION
MEALS AT
HARVEST FARM
CHAMPA HOUSE The environment at Champa House is very unique, especially compared to the rest of our communities. It is a small, intimate space where nine women live together, learning from one another and helping each other navigate life as single mothers. Each woman takes a turn cooking dinner for her fellow housemates every other week. There can be up to 20 children living in the house, so dinner is a small feast and a large feat. There is opportunity for learning in every task in our program at Champa House, including something as simple as preparing a meal.
With so many men working hard all day long, all year long, nutritious meals are extremely important at the Farm. Mealtime can look very different, depending on the season. In the warmer months, fresh produce from the Farm’s garden is featured at almost every meal. Our Lawrence Street Shelter even benefits from this produce, getting deliveries each week. The chefs grill at least once a week during the spring and summer, and New Life Program participants can enjoy a meal together outside or indoors. In winter, when the weather is harsher and daylight hours are limited, the food needs to be a bit heartier, so we partner with Larimer County Food Bank to keep the men well-fed. The Farm’s kitchen can serve up to 200 meals in one day. Interested in becoming a monthly donor? Please visit DenverRescueMission.org/monthlygiving
From the CEO Dear Friends, Whenever I think of meals, this month’s Changing Lives topic, I am reminded of these words in Isaiah 58: 6-7: Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
I know you would agree with me that no one in our community should have to go hungry or be without shelter; and no one oppressed by drugs or alcohol should be left without the opportunity to become free from their addictions. Changing lives is Denver Rescue Mission’s highest goal, and most of the time the change that occurs begins with a meal. Because we offer a meal and a warm, dry place to stay, we earn the right to talk with people about real change—the change that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our staff and volunteers are committed to the belief that Christ can be the difference in people being set free from a life of addiction. But before we can talk about that with the people who come to us for help, they need to know that we are serious about helping, encouraging, and “loving up” on them. That meal we so often talk about, which costs us $1.92 to provide, is the way we first show Christ’s love. It goes without saying that the 600,000 plus meals we served last year were vital to many who are in an emergency situation, but our goal is bigger than that. We want to see people become productive, self-sufficient citizens whose lives have been transformed by the power of Christ. Thank you for helping us begin this process with a good meal and a smiling face. God Bless,
Brad Meuli President/CEO
A Fresh Start Denver Rescue Mission is asking local churches, businesses and community members to partner with us in our annual Fresh Start hygiene drive. With your support, Denver Rescue Mission will distribute all collected hygiene products to low-income families in our transitional program, program participants and individuals in our emergency shelter. Help the poor and homeless this spring by donating any of the hygiene items listed below: • Shampoo & conditioner • Liquid body soap • Disposable razors • Aftershave • Toothpaste & toothbrushes • Deodorant
• • • • • •
Bar soap Shaving cream Lotion Brushes & combs Feminine hygiene products Diapers & baby powder
*Large and travel-sized items are welcome!
D R O P - O F F I N F O R M AT I O N : Ministry Outreach Center 5725 E. 39th Avenue Denver, CO 80207 April 14th – April 18th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information about the Fresh Start hygiene drive or to add yourself or your organization to our flyer distribution list (flyers will include more detailed information about this program), please contact Josh at JLittlejohn@DenRescue.org or visit DenverRescueMission.org/freshstart2014.
24th Annual Cherry Hills Community Church Easter Celebration and Hygiene Drive Sunday, April 20th 3900 E. Grace Boulevard, Highlands Ranch This celebration will feature an Easter message by senior pastor Shane Farmer; and music by the 250-voice choir, worship band and special musical guests. For more information about this hygiene product drop-off option, please call Lisette at 303.313.2414.
Mission Events
Statistics
(Fiscal Year) How You Help
Easter Celebration Friday, April 18th Lawrence Street Shelter 1130 Park Avenue West 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For more information, contact Josh at JLittlejohn@DenRescue.org.
MEALS SERVED
YTD
Lawrence Street
29,165
179,790
The Crossing
14,776
100,507
594
4,061
Harvest Farm
4,706
36,169
Total
49,241
320,527
Champa House
Harvest Farm 5K, 2014 Saturday, May 17th Harvest Farm Wellington, CO 8:00 a.m. Registration 9:00 a.m. Kick-off For more information or to register, please visit: DenverRescueMission.org/farm5k2014.
JANUARY
DRM averages
1,723 meals a day across all of our facilities.
Our Outreaches
Restock the Pantry Watch the Everyday show on Fox 31 starting March 10th for ways you can support the Restock the Pantry campaign. The Mission needs your help to feed thousands of warm meals throughout the year. Visit DenverRescueMission.org/everyday for more info.
Coming Soon: New Online Volunteer Registration!
Lawrence Street Shelter: Emergency care: meals, overnight shelter, free health care, food box and clothing distribution. Fort Collins Rescue Mission: Emergency care: meals, overnight shelter; and transitional program.
We are implementing this new system to help volunteers explore opportunities for serving, and to help our staff better support and appreciate all that our volunteers do for us.
Champa House: Residential facility offering long-term help toward self-sufficiency to single mothers with dependent children.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition!
Harvest Farm: Long-term New Life rehabilitation program, farming and ranching operation, food and clothing distribution, and Fall Festival.
Watch for registration announcements at DenverRescueMission.org/volunteer.
What's Your Legacy? Request a free copy of our new brochure: “Leaving a Legacy of Love” Check the box on the enclosed reply card to receive your copy. For more information, please contact Alice at 303.313.2487 or visit our website at DenverRescueMission.org/legacygiving.
The Crossing: Long-term New Life rehabilitation program, transitional program for New Life graduates and homeless families, temporary housing for interns and visitors. Ministry Outreach Center: Warehouse facilities; food, clothing and household goods distribution. Family Services: Transitional program; assistance for permanent housing; mentoring for homeless working families, seniors and refugee families. Global Ministry Outreach: Consultation, resources and support to city/rescue missions around the world.
Changing Lives is the monthly news publication of Denver Rescue Mission. Director of Communications: Christine Gallamore Designer: Rachel Vigil Writer: Rachel Greiman P.O. Box 5164 • Denver, CO 80217 • 303.297.1815
blog.DenverRescueMission.com