FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2005

SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION SERVES THANKSGIVING BANQUET FOR THE HOMELESS
Annual event provides more than 1,000 meals and care packages for men, women and families living on the streets of San Diego

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Rescue Mission today hosted its annual Thanksgiving Banquet for the Homeless, serving more than 1,000 hot turkey dinners and supplying t-shirts, socks, towels, shampoo, soap and lotion to individuals and families living on the streets of San Diego.

"Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect on how blessed we are and to express our gratitude," said Jim Jackson, president and CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission. "It has become a San Diego tradition to reach out to the homeless on this holiday and share our bounty with those who have so little. Thanks to our donors and sponsors, we are able to expand our usual efforts and provide a hot meal and a care package to less fortunate San Diegans."

The Rescue Mission has been serving its Thanksgiving Banquet for the Homeless for the past 50 years. This year's meal amounted to 950 pounds of turkey, 450 pounds of mashed potatoes, 350 pounds of stuffing, 100 pounds of cranberry sauce, 14 gallons of gravy, 180 pounds of Caesar salad, 200 pounds of green beans. Strawberry shortcake was served for dessert, made from 240 pounds of strawberries.

Preparation for the meal started on Monday with defrosting of food and ordering supplies. Rescue Mission kitchen staff had been cooking and de-boning turkeys for the last two days, said Jackson.

In addition to the approximately 1,000 meals served at The Rescue Mission's facility at 120 Elm St., the Mission also provided an additional 350 meals to those in need through the YMCA and the Nueva Vida Haven for women.

All this week, the Mission worked to reach out to San Diego County's 10,000 homeless people - to let them know about the meal and help them become aware of the services the Mission provides. The outreach and meal service were assisted by more than 100 volunteers from The Rock Church. Sponsors included: Albertsons, Hollandia Dairy, Home Depot, Ralphs, San Diego Bread Company, and Vons.

Individuals who wish to make donations or volunteer with the Rescue Mission should call 1-866-SD-MISSION or go to www.sdrescue.org.

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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