Playground Brings Joy to Hope for Families

Through generous donations from First 5 California, Merced, and Jason West (in memory of his father) the Mission was able to purchase and install a new playground on our campus. Home Depot stores in Merced and Los Banos have donated pergolas to provide shade for parents watching their children. They have also donated rubber chips as a base for the playground area to provide a cushion for children who might fall. This colorful addition to the campus will provide a bright spot for children to run off their energy in a safe location.

The Mission is so grateful to community members and organizations who are participating in making the Village of Hope campus a place that benefits our whole community.

Annual Holiday Food Drive & Holiday Banquets

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE, OCTOBER 10th - DECEMBER 24th

Merced County Rescue Mission’s 11th Annual Holiday Food Drive will help provide food to low-income families and those experiencing homelessness at our Holiday Banquets and throughout the year. Any non-perishable food is accepted. All donations are appreciated!

Drop off non-perishable food items Monday to Friday, 1 pm - 4 pm, at the Mission office, 644 W 20th Street, Merced. You can call our office at 209-722-9269.

Businesses and organizations who would like to participate in our Annual Food Drive can contact Anthony at 209-947-8493 to arrange the drop-off and pick-up of food collection barrels.

Thank you!

HOLIDAY BANQUETS NEWS

Come to the events and help in person - To serve meals, visit with people, to help us set up and/or clean up.

FREE TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING BANQUET:
Thursday, November 24th, 10 am - 12 pm, American Legion Hall, 939 W Main Street, Merced

FREE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE BANQUET:
Saturday, December 24th, 10 am - 12 pm, American Legion Hall, 939 W Main Street, Merced

Donate toward our Thanksgiving Banquet:
Pre-cooked, boneless turkey breast, #10 cans of corn and #10 cans of green beans, boxes of instant mashed potatoes, turkey gravy mix, chicken broth, dinner rolls, and pies.

Donate toward our Christmas Even Banquet:
Hams, #10 cans of corn, and #10 cans of green beans, russet potatoes, dinner rolls, and desserts.

Please help us provide traditional holiday dinners for them!

How do those in need connect with the Mission?

Applications for our faith-based Hope for Men and Women program are filled out at our office at 644 W. 20th Street or call (209) 722-9269. The daily life of this 6-to-12-month program is outlined below.

People experiencing homelessness can find help at New Direction, 2808 Park Avenue, Suite C, Merced, or call (209) 205-3123. New Direction is the central location for Merced where people will be interviewed and then referred to the appropriate program. Merced County Rescue Mission is one of the providers of services for people experiencing homelessness and receives referrals from New Direction.

The Rescue Mission is thrilled that there is now a new bus stop at the Mission’s Village of Hope campus. Most residents do not have their own transportation. Thanks to the new bus stop, they now have the ability to get to the grocery store, doctor appointments, and other services. Residential programs on this campus include Hope for Veterans, Hope for Families, and Hope Respite Care. Services on this campus are by referral only.

Road Trip Fellowship

On September 8th, the HOPE for Men program participants was excited to spend the day at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They were able to fellowship and enjoy the day under the sun. While some of the men headed straight for the water, others were thrilled to just walk in the sand and leave a footprint or two.

The men enjoyed leisure time and then gathered for lunch. After a prayer for the food, everyone humbly enjoyed their sandwiches and chips. They were eager to start a game of volleyball, so they divided into two teams. Although their competitiveness was clearly seen, it was genuinely nice to see them trust one another and their brotherhood as they played.

The time flew by, and it was soon time to return to Merced. The conversations that took place during the car ride home, confirmed how much they enjoyed their time of fellowship with one another.

While in our HOPE for Men and Women program, participants have many opportunities to experience fellowship, wherever they may be. These road trips are in addition to daily devotions, four Bible Studies per week, 10 hours of community service per week, 12 hours of classes per week, Celebrate Recovery and church!

Thank you for keeping our HOPE for Men and Women program going strong throughout the year! You are changing the lives of many men and women in Merced County.

A Privilege to Help

The Mission was privileged for a second year to assist students at the University of San Francisco with the process of moving into their dorms for the new school year. From August 11th-14th, a group from our Men’s Program and Women’s Program, 12 clients and 2 counselors were at the campus in San Francisco to help students check in and then line up to receive a COVID test. The group also directed students (and parents) to their assigned dorms and helped them move into their dorm rooms.

Everyone in our Mission group developed a special bond as they worked hard and as a team. Even though they were tired at the end of each day, they kept smiles on their faces as they enjoyed this opportunity to help others. Many parents even stopped to thank them for all of their smiles!

It was a wonderful experience for all. They felt privileged to represent the Mission as they helped the University of San Francisco students with the moving-in process. Many even shared that this was something they would enjoy doing again, even after they graduate from the Men’s or Women’s Program.

Congrats to our Graduates!

Congratulations to six men and three women who graduated from the Mission program on July 27th at our graduation ceremony. Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate. By the grace of God, you are changed! Hope grows here!