SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News)- One day before Thanksgiving, the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake City is trying to help the homeless in our area. However, the need for free meals is greater than ever.
The line in front of the mission at 463 s 400 w stretched almost to the next block. Hundreds of people were braving the cool temperatures for a taste of heaven. They were served turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. It’s a rare great nutritious meal for many who are down on their luck. Robert Patterson said,” This is what a homeless person needs when they're homeless.”
The homeless are larger in number than anyone can remember. These are signs of a tough economy. Chris Beane of the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake City said,” Last year we did about 7-800 people, we're prepping for 12-hundred this year.”
Among those 1200 men and women are people like Gregory Omobe who says he's been homeless for two years. He says it’s hard to find a job. Same goes Brent Platt. He’s a master technician who has been out of work for 18-months thanks to. Platt said,” Mostly downsizing replacing more experienced workers with people they had to pay less.”
But for Platt and others the dinner, the free haircuts, and showers are much appreciated. And the same goes for the free clothes. Each person gets a shirt, pants, socks, and a coat.
It’s holiday spirit hospitality for many who lost their spirit a long time ago. Bean said,” They love the fact that they sit down and be completely served and waited on.” The Rescue Mission of Salt Lake City does this three times a year. That’s not including the 300 meals they serve to the homeless everyday.
