It’s been a banner year as far as fundraising is concerned for the Emporia Rescue Mission.
Both the Emporia Rescue Mission and Abundant Harvest Community Food Kitchen took on the Alan Feinstein Foundation Challenge and collected over $60,000 worth of donations. Director of the Rescue Mission Lee Alderman was on the KVOE Morning Show recently and says he is always impressed and thankful for the local support.
Alderman says funds will go directly supporting services like paying utility bills and support maintenance of buildings. With only a handful of part-time employees, the organization is supported by 170 volunteers, and Alderman says this ensures funds go directly to supporting those in need.
Alderman says the Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation of Cranston, Rhode Island, matches dollar-for-dollar up to $60,000 and match nonperishable food donations at the rate of $1 an item. A local donor also matched up to $25,000 this year, which inspired fundraisers like the Didde Catholic Campus Center’s Sleep In A Box.
Abundant Harvest, located at 1028 Whittier, serves free boxed meals from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday as well as a free hot meal at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Rescue Mission serves men battling through personal crisis situations.
Alderman says they serve on average 30 people per meal per day, with everyone from young families to older adults. When they are open, Alderman says they also give away a free bag of clothes every three minutes.
