The Rescue Mission has been serving meals in the Roanoke Valley for over 63 years but, this year has presented its challenges. Joy Slyvester-Johnson the Mission’s CEO says, “Our numbers are up across the board about 25 percent with women and children out numbering men for the first time in 63 years."
With such a dramatic increase in the number of people coming into the mission, they’ve been scrambling for nearly everything. Johnson explains, “It's taking extra everything, extra food, extra quilts, extra heat in this cold weather, extra water for all the showers and laundry we do ... Everything is up about 25 percent."
If you’re interested in helping out they’re now accepting coats for their annual “Coats Giving” where you can donate any of your old jackets to help someone stay warm as the temperatures drop.
No matter the struggles though, the Mission continues to stand by its motto, “To give people a place to stand while they get back on their feet.” Johnson says, “We'll be here ... We've been here for 63 years. We'll be here tonight and tomorrow night and God willing we'll be here the next night for the next family who needs us."
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