TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – A hot Christmas meal was served Tuesday for the homeless community in Tyler.
“The main thing is to give them a sense of hope, that someone sees them, someone loves them and cares for them,” says Jason Brandon, Director of Tyler Ministries with Hiway 80 Rescue Mission.
With over 20 volunteers from all ages, they served plates of home cooked food for 120 homeless people.
“Having served them before we see a lot of familiar faces and enjoy just hugging on them, and serving them and just showing them love and joy this season,” says Megan Nix, a volunteer.
She has served with her family for 10 years, and says serving during the holidays brings her and her family joy.
“Hoping we can share a little hope to other people that they can encourage them to get back on their feet,” says Nix. “Everyone goes through difficult times.”
For this holiday season, offering a meal is more than just filling an empty stomach, for Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, it’s also a chance to offer hope and a reminder that every person deserves to feel seen and cared for.
“In a time where they may be going through difficult moments, in a time where they feel lonely, a time where they feel forgotten, this is a great opportunity for the community to get involved in and show the love of Christ,” Jason Brandon.
And many from the homeless community felt that love today like Gavin King.
“It’s a blessing that they come out here and give us homeless people some food,” says King.
Samuel Ott also appreciated the hot meal today.
“Good food, better than what you normally get when you’re homeless,” says Ott.
Others, like Amanda Jones, appreciate the community not only serving them food, but also talking with them and sharing a conversation together.
“There’s a lot of [us] that get depressed, suicidal,” says Jones. “When we congregate together it helps, it really does with the mental health.”
Hiway 80 Rescue Mission says they are hoping to expand their services during the holidays in the years to come as they continue to see a bigger need in the homeless community.
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