At 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, the Long Beach Rescue Mission handed out breakfast to the homeless community.
This is a tradition at The Mission. However, this particular Thanksgiving was unique due to COVID-19. The Mission adjusted to the crisis by requiring the volunteers to pass out masks and social distance in addition to handing out food.
Since 1971, Long Beach Rescue Mission has opened its doors to thousands of men, women and children for food, clothing, shelter, spiritual guidance and help re-entering the workforce.
Chaplin Robert Probst is the Executive Director. He has been with The Mission for 20 years. LBRM is his third rescue mission.
“Today, we have already fed 100 meals by 8:58 a.m. And yesterday evening we served turkey dinners to over 300 people. The line was down the block,” he said.
“Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude. Places like The Mission get a lot of donations throughout the year, but this time of year people are more generous (with time, money and food),” said Nathan, a volunteer.
Even Long Beach Rescue Mission gives more during this time of year.
“Yesterday, we gave over 100 meals to the Lutheran Social Services, and we gave 20 meals to disabled U.S. Vets,” said John Zimmerman, the operations manager.
People like Paul Anderson have been hit especially hard by COVID-19. The pandemic forced him into homelessness, and he just joined The Mission a month ago.
“It’s a great place. I came here because of its reputation of being the top place in L.A. County to get back on your feet. I feel very blessed,” he said.
Anderson is now living at the Samaritan House for men, owned by The Mission, and on Thanksgiving morning he volunteered by passing out food.
The Mission also owns the Lydia House, which serves as a safe haven for women and their children. Often, women will come to Long Beach Rescue Mission fleeing abusive relationships.
“We offer life changing programs for men and women that help them overcome their struggles with addition, poverty and/or homelessness,” stated The Mission’s website.
LBRM has one theme, everyone believes in Jesus, and the mission is to continue the work of Jesus Christ. From the volunteers to the employees to the clients, mostly all had an unwavering belief in God.
“We value people as eternal beings created by God’s image with inherent dignity and worth, redeemable by God and capable of living life of meaning and purpose. We value all interactions as opportunities to love people, that through us the gospel of Jesus Christ might transform their lives,” said their website as their core value.