\t\t\t\t\tOverview: San Diego Rescue Mission<\/p>\n
Locals experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, or housing challenges are invited to enjoy a free hot holiday meal served by volunteers, alongside opportunities to access necessary services.<\/p>\n
Holidays can be an especially difficult time of the year for those in San Diego dealing with homelessness.<\/p>\n
The San Diego Rescue Mission<\/a> will do its part to make the Easter season a little better for those without a home.<\/p>\n SDRM is hosting its annual Easter Community Meal this Saturday (March 28) from 1 to 3 p.m. The event takes place at 120 Elm Street. (Guests should enter on 2nd Avenue.) <\/p>\n Locals experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, or housing challenges are invited to enjoy a free hot holiday meal served by volunteers, alongside opportunities to access necessary services.<\/p>\n Along with the holiday meal, attendees will have access to:<\/p>\n Downtown\/Uptown News caught up recently with Cedric McLean, SDRM\u2019s director of marketing, to discuss the event.<\/p>\n DTN\/UTN: <\/strong>How many years has this event been going on?<\/p>\n McLean:<\/strong> The San Diego Rescue Mission is celebrating 70 years of serving San Diego. The organization has been hosting its annual Easter Community Meal at 120 Elm Street for 22 years.<\/p>\n DTN\/UTN:<\/strong> How does this annual event best serve members of the community in need?<\/p>\n McLean:<\/strong> For many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness or hardship, Easter can be a really difficult time. A lot of the people we serve grew up celebrating holidays with family, and now they\u2019re facing them alone. This event is about restoring a sense of dignity and belonging.<\/p>\n We open our doors and turn our space into something that feels more like a restaurant than a shelter. We\u2019re serving a hot, home-cooked meal and offering haircuts, showers, medical care, pet care, and essential items. But more than that, it\u2019s an opportunity to connect. It\u2019s often the first step in building trust and helping someone take the next step toward stability.<\/p>\n DTN\/UTN:<\/strong> What has the turnout typically been like over the years for this event?<\/p>\n McLean:<\/strong> The Easter Meal is one of three community holiday meals we serve every year. We typically host hundreds of individuals at our Easter Meal, often around 600-700 people, and around 1,000 people for our annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Community Meals. These numbers reflect a real need in our community for a nutritious meal, care, and compassion. Over the years, we\u2019ve seen consistent turnout, especially as more individuals and families face rising costs of living.<\/p>\n DTN\/UTN:<\/strong> Some people in need are hesitant to reach out for help. What would be the message for them?<\/p>\n McLean: <\/strong>You\u2019re not alone, and you don\u2019t have to face your hardships on your own. Most people we meet didn\u2019t expect to fall on hard times or become homeless. Something happened in their life \u2014 trauma, loss, addiction, financial hardship \u2014 and they just haven\u2019t been able to recover from it yet. <\/p>\n\n