The Rescue Mission Announces Schedule of Events for 2016 National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
Local agencies are putting a spotlight on helping the less fortunate during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in order to raise awareness about hunger and homelessness in the Fort Wayne area. The week is sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness. It is observed each year the week before Thanksgiving and provides an opportunity to help promote the national endeavor to end hunger and homelessness.
“We are hopeful that once individuals have a better understanding of hunger and homelessness in our community, that they will be inspired to take action by volunteering, donating funds or resources, or getting involved in some other way,” said Donovan Coley, CEO/Senior Pastor for The Rescue Mission. “When someone gets involved in, it takes us one step closer to ending hunger and homelessness and bringing real change to those who need it most.”
The media is invited to attend any or all of the week’s events. The full schedule of events for the week is as follows:
Friday, November 11 – 7:00pm
One Night Without A Home
Charis House (431 Fairmount Place, Fort Wayne, IN 46808)
Presented by The Rescue Mission
More than 100 participants will give up shelter for one night in order to better understand and raise awareness about homelessness. The event will take place on the lawn of Charis House, a ministry of The Rescue Mission. All are welcome to participate, pre-registration required. For more info, visit www.therescuemission.net/onenight2016.
Monday, November 14 – 12:00pm (Noon)
Press Conference
400 East Washington
Presented by The Rescue Mission & the Fort Wayne Area Planning Council on Homelessness
Join us at 400 East Washington at our future new home as we gather for a news conference regarding National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Staff, volunteers, residents, and other agencies serving the homeless will be present. Free T-shirts and other resources will be available for all who attend.
Wednesday, November 16 –
10:00am – 11:30am
Media Day
The Rescue Mission (301 W. Superior St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802) Presented by The Rescue Mission
Get all your questions answered about The Rescue Mission with sit-down interviews with staff members and residents. Take a tour of The Rescue Mission and pick up resource materials. For more info, contact The Rescue Mission Marketing Director Natalie A. Trout at natalie@therescuemission.net.
12:00pm (noon)
Bus/Van Tour of Fort Wayne
Begins at University of Saint Francis Performing Arts Center Parking Lot (431 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802)
Presented by Redemption House & the Fort Wayne Area Planning Council on Homelessness
Meet at the USF Performing Arts Center before noon to go on a Bus Tour of local churches and organizations that provide shelter and services to the homeless in Fort Wayne. Participants can hop on a bus, where they will receive tour packets of information and a host on the bus will educate individuals about the shelters and services available for people who are homeless. For more info, contact Tomi Cardin at 260.745.1005.
Thursday, November 17 – Any time
Skip A Lunch, Feed a Bunch
City-wide
Presented by The Rescue Mission
On average, an individual spends more than $5 on lunch every day. With this same $5, The Rescue Mission can provide 3 hot, nutritious meals to the hungry in the Fort Wayne area.
Participating in Skip A Lunch, Feed a Bunch is easy! Step 1- Skip your lunch. Step 2- Place $5 in one of our special giving envelopes. Step 3- Mail the envelope, give at therescuemission.net, or visit us on your lunch hour at one of our Treasure House locations (Coldwater Crossing or Glenbrook Square on level one next to Carson’s). For envelopes or more info contact natalie@therescuemission.net or call 260.426.7357 ext 130.
Friday, November 18– 5:30pm
Annual Celebration and Stewardship Banquet featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, Darryl Strawberry and his wife Tracy, and Dr. John Townsend Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Presented by The Rescue Mission
Join us for an evening of inspiration and celebration as we reflect on providing Real Change to the hungry and homeless. In addition to hearing testimonies from residents, we welcome Grammy Award winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman, baseball great Darryl Strawberry and his wife Tracy, and best-selling author Dr. John Townsend. For more information, contact Leesa Huston at 260.426.7357 ext 136 or at leesa@therescuemission.net
Proud sponsors of this important effort include Adrian Medical, Ambassador Enterprises, Ash Brokerage, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, Do it Best, Fort Wayne Metals, Old National Insurance, Parkview Health, Pathway Community Church, Phillips Financial, PNC Bank, Sweetwater, Thrivent Financial, and Tooth Acres.
For more information regarding National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, contact Richard Cummins at 260.426.7357 ext. 138, or at richard@therescuemission.net.
