FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2005

SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION TO SERVE EIGHT MILLIONTH MEAL TO LOCAL HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN, FAMILIES
Top Local Chefs to Prepare Milestone Meal; Congressman Bob Filner Will Serve to the Homeless

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Rescue Mission announced today that it will serve its eight millionth meal to the region's homeless on Thursday, August 25, at 5 p.m. The event is sponsored by some of the region's leading restaurants and will include dishes prepared by San Diego's top chefs and served by U.S. Congressman Bob Filner, among others.

"The San Diego Rescue Mission has come a long way since it was a downtown soup kitchen," said Jim Jackson, president and CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission. "It's wonderful to see the outpouring of support from the community for this milestone. And it brings joy to our hearts to give a special treat to the nearly 350 homeless men, women, and children in our recovery programs with this 8 millionth meal."

To celebrate this milestone, local chefs will prepare dishes for the dinner. Philip Jordan, Executive Chef at Sage Grill will prepare the main course of tri-tip steak. Maryjo Testa, owner of Salad Style, will provide an heirloom tomato salad and passion fruit poundcake with a berry sauce will be prepared by Noah French, head pastry chef at Roy's Restaurant. Sonia Ortega, owner of Frank's Happy Chef will also contribute a dish. Congressman Bob Filner will be on hand to serve the meal.

One of the oldest programs of its kind in San Diego, this year the San Diego Rescue Mission is celebrating 50 years of service to San Diego's homeless and needy population. Ceremonies to celebrate this golden anniversary are schedule for late September.

The Rescue Mission opened its doors as a soup kitchen in 1955 in a former poker parlor on "G" street. Three relocations later, the Mission has grown to help tens of thousands of men, women and children get back on their feet. Each of the Rescue Mission's three core programs-men's long-term recovery, women and children's long-term recovery, and women and children's emergency shelter-emphasizes building the skills needed for lasting recovery from the problems that cause homelessness. The Rescue Mission's new home, located in the old Harborview Hospital building on Elm Street, include overnight lodging for the homeless people in their recovery programs; a kitchen and dining hall; a gym and recreation area; a library; classrooms and computer labs; children's nurseries and many other facilities crucial to the Rescue Mission's holistic life-changing recovery programs.

500 meals will be prepared by the celebrity chefs to celebrate the eight millionth milestone. The meals will be served at the Rescue Mission's new facility to the nearly 350 homeless men, women, and children enrolled in the Rescue Mission's life-changing programs. San Diego Rescue Mission delivery trucks will take another 80 meals to the Cortez Hill Family Center downtown.

Specialty Produce will provide all produce and Ghirardelli Chocolates is donating chocolate for the event. Restaurant Tea Service of San Diego, a long term supporter of the Mission, has donated Tropical Passion Fruit Iced Tea for the meal. KUSI-TV, Ranch & Coast Magazine, and radio stations KPRZ and KCPQ have also partnered with the Mission to commemorate both the eight millionth meal and the 50th anniversary in September.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION
Every day, the lives of homeless men, women, and children are changed at the San Diego Rescue Mission. The Mission's long-term programs provide the physical necessities, vocational training, and spiritual encouragement needed to truly turn their lives around. The San Diego Rescue Mission prepares over 350,000 free meals and provides over 120,000 free nights of shelter each year, serving thousands of San Diego's homeless. For more information, visit www.sdrescue.org.

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