40% Increase in the Emergency Winter Shelter Meals

As the Charlotte Rescue Mission serves the majority of the Emergency Winter Shelter meals they’re foreseeing increasing numbers rise even higher through April 30, 2008 when the Shelter closes its doors for the season.

Executive Director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission, Reverend Tony Marciano says,

“We get lots of cakes and pastries from our supportive community, but now we need the following in order to feed the rising numbers of homeless neighbors in our area. We need meat, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables, grocery store gift cards and financial donations to maintain the feeding programs”.

When planning the budget for 2008 there was no idea meals would take on a 40% increase. The Charlotte Rescue Mission,(CRM) is committed to serving homeless men a hot meal at the Emergency Winter Shelter. Last year, in the Fall of 2006, 6,605 meals were prepared by Charlotte Rescue Mission and served at the Emergency Winter Shelter. Since the EWS opened on October 1st of 2007, the meals served through December 31st were 12,963.

“Just comparing November and December 2006 versus the same months in 2007 saw an increase of 2,602 meals” says Marciano.

Within a normal year the Charlotte Rescue Mission, (CRM) will serve their 200,000 meals. Some of those meals are served to hungry, homeless men at the Emergency Winter Shelter.

“The Rescue Mission needs the community to help with donations so CRM can keep up with the rising numbers of homeless in Charlotte" says Marciano. “The Mission will be as grateful as they have been since 1938.”

Have a Shredder to Donate?

Does your office have a shredder that you no longer need? Once upon a time, we were given a nice commercial grade shredder by a very generous donor.

That shredder has since seen its day and is in need of a replacement. We have a fairly high number of documents that need to be shredded regularly so a normal office shredder will not suffice.

If anyone happens to have a high volume shredder available, we would be greatly appreciative. Please contact Tim at 704-334-4635 x245.

CRM to be Featured at Charlotte's Healthy Living Fair

This year's Healthy Living Fair will be held on January 26 at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart. Admission is free to the public. Be sure to stop by and see Charlotte Rescue Mission's booth.

Joseph Beth Booksellers Book Fair

On Sunday January 27, Joseph Beth Booksellers at South Park Mall will host a book fair and 20% of the proceeds will go to Charlotte Rescue Mission. You can download your coupons here. Hope to see you there.

Crosspath: Boundaries

If you won't hear it in your car on WMIT or WHVN, join me on the web for my daily 5 minute talks called "CrossPath". This week's topic is "boundaries". Each day I discuss a different question:

What are boundaries?

Should I make other people’s problems my problem?

Did Bible Characters operate with boundaries?

What do you mean by Castles & hedges

Do the Panthers operate with boundaries?

CRM to Sponsor the Historic Badin Triathlon

The Charlotte Rescue Mission is sponsoring the first annual Historic Badin Triathlon on Saturday morning June 7th, 2008. The triathlon is a swim, bike and run competitive event that will be a fundraiser for the mission. The Town of Badin, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, will be the site of the event. The 750 meter swim will take place in adjacent Badin Lake. The 11.4 mile bike portion will take place on surrounding country roads. The 5k run will be through the town.

Registration begins on January 3rd on the website of the company that will produce the event. Their web address can be located at www.setupevents.com. There you will find information about the event and instructions on how to register as a participant. You will also be able to sign up to volunteer by filling out the volunteer form on the Historic Badin Triathlon web page at the previously mentioned website. You may also contact Gary Kaufman to volunteer. He can be reached by email or by phone at (704) 334-4635 ext. 208. This would be a great volunteer opportunity for a church youth group.

This event is made possible in part by Middle Ring Cycles, Wachovia, God’s Country Outfitters and SYSCO.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Christmas Day News Coverage

News 14 ran the following story on Christmas day at the mission:

CHARLOTTE -- Volunteers served hundreds of hot meals in Charlotte Christmas morning to those in need at Charlotte’s Rescue Mission.

The mission’s kitchen was packed with volunteers long before the sun came up. "They were here before [5 a.m.] getting ready to serve a hot breakfast for the homeless,” said Rev. Tony Marciano, executive director.

Read the whole thing here.