FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 09, 2008
MEDIA ALERT * MEDIA ALERT
San Diego Rescue Mission Continues Operations Following Yesterday’s Warehouse Fire
Seeking Donations and
Lease of 10,000-20,000 Square Foot Building
WHAT:
Yesterday evening, July 8, 2008, the San Diego Rescue Mission’s Material and Food Distribution Center located at 5150 University Avenue at 52nd Street experienced a major fire loss. Despite the valiant efforts of 60-70 firefighters, the warehouse sustained heavy damage and lost 90% of inventory/material donations. The Distribution Center is used to refurbish and stage material donations that eventually are sold in the San Diego Rescue Mission’s three thrift stores for vital program funding. The facility is also a hub and storage location for its Partners for Hunger Relief Program. This program helps to provide food products for 17 non-profit partners. For the short term, the San Diego Rescue Mission has set up a tent onsite so they can continue to accept donations. The non-profit organization is already searching in the City Heights area for a 10,000-20,000 square foot building with a short-term lease as a more permanent solution. Due to the losses sustained during the fire, the Rescue Mission is in great need of furniture, household items, towels, hygiene items and bedding. Check and cash donations are also accepted.
WHO:
The San Diego Rescue Mission is one of the largest comprehensive rehabilitation centers for the homeless in California. Focusing on long-term treatment, SDRM houses hundreds of men, women, and children and provides shelter, food, counseling, treatment, and work therapy. The Mission serves over 3,000 individuals and prepares over half a million meals annually. The San Diego Rescue Mission is the only major homeless shelter in San Diego that does not receive government funding for its long term rehabilitation programs, and is nationally recognized for its successful programs.
DONATIONS:
Furniture/household good donations accepted onsite at 5150 University Avenue at 52nd Street.
Financial donations accepted online at www.sdrescue.org, by calling 888-SD-RESCUE, or at the San Diego Rescue Mission offices downtown at 120 Elm Street, San Diego, CA 92101.