Michele Loo, now 60, candidly shares that she has “gone through some rough patches in life.”
Despite spending the holidays at a women’s shelter, she wore a festive smile and glasses decorated with Christmas trees in the cafeteria of the San Diego Rescue Mission on Saturday afternoon.
“Today’s meal was fantastic,” Loo remarked. “The ham was incredibly tender and delicious. It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper Christmas dinner.”
Staff and volunteers served complimentary meals to approximately 900 guests facing homelessness or living in unstable, low-income situations.
Earlier this year, the rescue mission—which primarily relies on private donations—celebrated 70 years of helping those in need in the San Diego area.
“Jesus said, ‘love thy neighbor,’ ” Donnie Dee, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, commented. “We started as a soup kitchen and evolved into a rehabilitation program. This allows us to celebrate Christmas so that no one is left alone and provides a hot meal to those who are hungry.”
Long before the food was served, a line snaked around three blocks outside the San Diego Rescue Mission’s downtown headquarters on Elm Street.
Volunteers warmly greeted and escorted diners inside, where they were treated to a traditional holiday fare of honey-glazed ham, green beans, potatoes au gratin, salad, and choices of pumpkin and apple pie.
“The intention behind this is to build trust,” Dee explained. “We want guests to see our beautiful facility, and that they could potentially use it for rehabilitation. We want them to interact with our staff and volunteers, where there’s a lot of love and joy without any judgment.”
The mission’s kitchen was stocked with nearly 5,000 pounds of food. With a cafeteria capacity of 200, it took about two hours to serve all guests. Upon departure, each diner received a backpack filled with a blanket, socks, shampoo, lotion, a water bottle, and a Bible.
“We’re all in a pretty tough spot, just trying to survive,” said Natalie Bossard, who has battled depression and resides at a nearby shelter. “Events like this that are family-oriented and community-focused really uplift us.”
Throughout the day, free haircuts and hot showers were available. Volunteers and staff also provided free medical assistance, pet care, and spiritual support.
Michael Kidd mentioned that he has struggled since his wife’s passing and has been living in a tent for about two years.
When asked why he attended, the 51-year-old said, “Just for a hot meal, to chat with a few people since I don’t have many friends… to socialize and stay focused, you know?”
The rescue mission’s services include a 12-month residential program called the Mission Academy, which offers 300 beds to help homeless individuals and single parents gain self-sufficiency. This year, the organization reported a record high of 160 graduates from the program.
After experiencing life on the streets, Martin Salcedo graduated from the program two years ago and now works as a cook and server at a downtown hotel.
The Mission Academy “helped me gain the skills, strength, and awareness that I’m not alone,” Salcedo stated, “that I have people I can depend on, who love and care for me.”
In 2014, Crystal Hernandez struggled with meth addiction and homelessness. Shortly after attending a holiday meal at the rescue mission, she joined the 12-month program and rebuilt her life. Now, she’s part of the organization’s staff.
“I feel my story can encourage others,” Hernandez expressed. “I’ve been in that situation; I know how it feels. I can empathize because I’ve faced tough times too.”
The mission also features a children’s resource center and a program that offers mobile trailers equipped with hot showers.
The San Diego Rescue Mission reported assisting more than 1,300 individuals with immediate shelter this year and has helped nearly 300 secure permanent housing.
“I can assure people that this will cost them nothing,” Dee stated. “You don’t have to pay for this meal, and if you enter one of our programs, there’s no cost. It’s all provided because there’s a community that truly cares about you.”
