A Christmas Eve Banquet

Thank you to all of you who helped the Rescue Mission serve over 600 meals to people who feasted on a Christmas Eve Banquet! Many received their meal at the Behavioral Health Department parking lot next to New Directions. At this location, we distributed blankets, jackets, socks, hats, and warm clothing together with hygiene kits. Hundreds of grateful recipients, people experiencing homelessness, came and were fed and received clothing. Some of the people who enjoyed this feast are temporarily living in the D Street Shelter or the Navigation Center. Volunteers also took this meal along with clothing out to people in encampments in various locations around Merced. While it is the desire of the Rescue Mission to do all we can as we collaborate with other organizations, the City of Merced and the County of Merced, to help people find housing, it is also our desire to bring a glimpse of joy and hope to each person in this special season, as we celebrate the birth of Christ. As director of the Rescue Mission, I want to praise and thank all of our staff members, men, and women in our programs, and board members who gave their time and energy on Christmas Eve and before preparing for this event in order to meet the needs of others!!

Number Housed in 2021

Number Housed in 2021 Doubled from year before

Homelessness is an overwhelming issue not only nationally, but we see more and more people experiencing homelessness on our streets and in parks. During this past year, the Merced Rescue Mission has added beds and facilities which have allowed us to help far more people as we set them on a course towards self-sustainability.

We are especially excited that during the past year we have doubled the number housed with your help. Your donations are making an incredible difference to make this community a better place for everyone. People experiencing homelessness are finding a place to live and a far better life. You are being a blessing as you bless those in need.

Shoe Boxes for Children

The Merced County Rescue Mission wants to give a huge shout-out and thank you to Sandra Betschart and the Educational Services Sunshine Committee who coordinated efforts by the Merced County Office of Education employees to put together 250 shoeboxes with toys for boys and girls in our community. Debbie Barcelos of the Hilmar School District worked with students there to wrap many of the boxes. These boxes, marked for either boys or girls and by age groups, were distributed before Christmas to many children in our community. Sandra expressed that “it is quite a bit of work to get to the point of pack out, but in the end we are overjoyed to be able to bless some child that may not otherwise receive a gift.” Being a blessing to others is what we are all about, and the Rescue Mission is delighted to collaborate with the Merced County Office of Education employees to bless children in our community.

Merced & Los Banos Home Depot's Each Donate $1,000

The Home Depot in Merced and Los Banos each donated $1,000 to Mission programs! Thank you to Kacy from the Merced Home Depot and Rachel and Daniel from the Los Banos Home Depot. It’s community members like you, businesses, and organizations who help make the Misson programs possible. Together we are changing lives here, in Merced County! Thank you for supporting God’s work through the Mission.

Village of Hope, Phase 1 Update

We are almost there! Construction should be completed the first or second week in December and then we will be moving in furnishings. David Carr, Director of Mission Programs, and Anthony Choza, Operations Manager, will be flying to Tennessee, renting a U-haul, and driving back with a load of beds and wardrobes. A long drive, but a savings of over $3,000 compared to paying for shipping costs. David and Anthony should get back to Merced by December 5th. On the 6th, we hope to start furnishing the facilities. Thanks to generous donors, the lounges are covered. We still need to raise funds to furnish quite a few apartments. It is exciting to see how God is working and to walk through facilities that will soon be occupied by people in need of help. We are hoping that we will be able to occupy the facilities with residents in the beginning of January. The date for a Grand Opening will also be announced, hopefully for a date in January. We will keep you all posted.

To learn more about the Village of Hope campus, phases 1 and 2, click here.

YOU ARE THE GIFT!

Christmas is a season of giving and receiving. God gave his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. In accepting Jesus into our lives, we receive the biggest gift imaginable, the gift of eternal life! The Merced Rescue Mission is all about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, His salvation, and the new life that we can experience as we receive Him.

In a world where darkness, evil, and bad news seem to be so pervasive, we are thrilled to be bearers of Good News! Men and women who have experienced the worst have come through our doors and found not only food and shelter, but acceptance and the love of Jesus which has transformed their lives.

In the past five years, the Mission has expanded from two locations and 30 beds to 24 locations with 250 beds. During this time period, hundreds of men and women, as well as families, have come to receive help. People have come to us after being released from incarceration. People experiencing homelessness have come to us from the streets. People have come to us who are addicted to drugs and alcohol and are often struggling with mental illness issues.

People are coming to the Mission because they have lost all hope. They are depressed and in despair, not knowing where to turn for help. When people come to the Mission, we make it our first priority to love them in the name of Jesus as we provide for their basic needs.

God is using the Mission to help and save people! God is using you to make this all possible! Your prayers and your donations provide the means through which the Mission is able to love people tangibly by supplying food, shelter, caring counselors, training, and classes that prepare people to move forward towards independence and self-sustainability. YOU ARE A GIFT TO US! YOU, OUR DONORS, ARE THE ONES MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND CHANGING LIVES! This is your mission! The people who come to us are your brothers and sisters in Christ! You are giving people an opportunity to turn their lives around and find peace, joy, and fulfillment! What a great adventure we are on together! God bless you for all that you are doing!

November 30th, Giving Tuesday, kicked off a month of year-end giving.

As we approach the end of 2021, we invite you to remember the Merced Rescue Mission in your year-end giving. December donations make up a big percentage of the gifts we receive each year. Please help us reach our goal of $100,000 for December. We pray that you will have a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Give today!

Thanks for Giving! 550 Thanksgiving Meals Served

The Merced County Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving Banquet served 550 people! Thank you to everyone who donated and volunteered to help our friends and neighbors get a delicious meal on Thanksgiving!

Our Christmas Eve Banquet will be held at the same location to serve people who are experiencing homelessness. Join us at 10:30 am to help serve or to visit with people, in the Behavioral Health Dept. parking lot between New Directions and the D Street Shelter (200 E. 15th Street, Merced).

Food donations needed for our Christmas Banquet are hams, #10 cans of corn and green beans, instant mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and desserts.

Christmas Eve Banquet, December 24th, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 200 E. 15th Street, Merced
Some clothing and other items will be available at the event.

This year’s Holiday Food Drive has been going great!!  Five elementary schools in Merced have been participating.  It is great to see children working together to help people who are hungry and in need of food.  The Merced Rescue Mission wants to congratulate and thank every school and student who has played such an important role in helping others! We are also grateful to Valley Christian Church of Atwater and Aloha Floral & Gift Shop in Merced for collecting hundreds of boxes of stuffing for our Thanksgiving Banquet. It is wonderful to see people rallying together to share what they have with people who need help!  God bless you All!

The Mission’s Holiday Food Drive is happening now through December 24th. All donations are appreciated! Drop off at 644 W. 20th Street in Merced. Food donated is used for our banquets and meals throughout the year.

To learn more about our food drive or our holiday banquets, please click here.