Easter at Charlotte Rescue Mission

More TV Coverage For Easter

News 14 did a special story helping us ask for homemade deserts. Thanks to everyone who donated their special recipes for the homeless to enjoy on Easter!

WCNC News coverage of Easter at CRM

A traditional Easter dinner is taking on a deeper meaning for the man behind the meals this year at Charlotte Rescue Mission.

The food is served up with fine linens and glass wear – a special treat for the homeless men who live at the shelter, and guests who will come in off the street.

"We want to say 'you’re special,'” said Executive Director Tony Marciano, motioning towards the table settings. “'We love you, God loves you,' and this is our way of demonstrating by how were going to take care of you today."

Click here to read the full article and listen to the success story of our food service manager:

Food service manager Marcus King also sees it as a feast of redemption.

A little over a year ago, the former Marine spent most of his time high on drugs, despite always having a steady job and an otherwise good life.

“All I wanted to do every day is get high,” said King. “Drugs and alcohol was a way of life for me and I abused it for many years.”

Finally jobless and destitute, King hit a low point. One day in February 2006, he found himself on a bridge over Interstate 85 ready to jump.

Then, a man King calls his “guardian angel” appeared – in a police cruiser. King says the officer talked him out of killing himself, took him to detox, and gave him a second chance.

“I don't think anyone was an inspiration to me at that particular moment in my life when I was on the brink of dying,” said King, ”then this man made an effect on my life."

King said that he was sure that officer was Sean Clark, one of two CMPD officers killed in the line of duty last week.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is one of our outreaches to the community. We will serve several hundred hungry, hurting people. They will be treated like “royalty”. Volunteers, dressed in white shirts and black pants will serve them. China and glassware will be used. At 3pm, when I turn off the movies, some will become teary eyed when it all comes to an end. For the first time in a long time, they have felt loved and respected.

The 200,000 meals per year our donors help provide is significant. That’s just part of the story. The clients also hear the Good News of God’s love for them. These are men and women who have lost their way in life. They come to the Mission, beaten down, with no hope, feeling unloved and unwanted. When they complete our Rebound and Dove’s Nest program, there is a smile on their face that represents the hope in their soul.

I’m reminded of the man who came to the Mission without the right attitude. It took a while for the change to occur on the inside. As he approached completion of the program, it was his new attitude I noticed. He came to class, not to meet minimum requirements for class attendance, but to learn.

May God bless you this Easter season.