HOLIDAYS AT THE MISSION – REPORTING GOOD NEWS

By John Villines, Chief Operating Officer

The Modesto Gospel Mission ended the year in service to the local community, and providing needed relief to many in times of need.

In November, the Mission held its annual Thanksgiving Bundle-Up event where the public was invited to eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the fixin’s – turkey, potatoes and gravy, cranberries, green beans, dinner rolls, and pie! We then hand out warm winter clothes – new and gently-used coats and jackets, beanies, gloves, scarves, and socks. Most of these food and clothes donations were provided by individuals, churches, and businesses.

This event is normally attended by many men and women in our homeless population as well as low-income residents – including individuals and families who live locally in the “Airport Neighborhood.” This event took many volunteers, and so many individuals and families turned out, as well as local public servants Stanislaus County CEO Jody Hayes, Modesto City Manager Joe Lopez, Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen, Modesto City Council Members Tony Madrigal and Jenny Kenoyer, Modesto Chamber CEO Trish Christensen, and Hispanic Chamber CEO Johnny Garcia. This year’s event served over 1,200 men, women, and children, and an additional 500 turkey meals were served on the actual Thanksgiving holiday.

In December, the Mission conducted its longstanding tradition of serving poor and homeless men, women, and children for Christmas. Leading up to its main event, the Mission hosted “5 Days of Giving” where families registered online for a specified time slot during 5 weekdays in December to choose an unwrapped Christmas gift for each member of their family.

The gifts were donated by individuals and various businesses and churches such as Amazon, Assist International, Costco, and Shelter Cove Community Church. The time slots were filled in less than two days once registration went live! Over 5,000 gifts were given during these 5 days!

At the annual main event on December 23rd, the Mission served thousands of traditional Christmas ham meals and gifts. The Mission was aided by loyal families and individual volunteers, the Modesto Mayor and County Supervisors Brock Condit and Channce Condit, CHP officers, and church and business groups. All told, over 8,000 gifts were donated to needy men, women, and children in December alone due to the sacrificial generosity of our community! What a great way to honor the spirit of Christmas!

As we are embarking on the 75th year of the Modesto Gospel Mission, we gratefully acknowledge that we could not have provided services since 1948 without so many prayers, donations, volunteer hours, and financial gifts over the last 7+ decades. Thank You friends and neighbors! May God richly bless you all!