HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
The Downtown Rescue Mission made Christmas possible for the hungry, hurting, and homeless in Huntsville.
They served dinner to dozens of people on Christmas Day.
The need in the community is great, and it continues to grow in the area.
The Mission is seeing more and more people who need some kind of assistance, and they are even seeing people come to Huntsville from other cities and states to get help.
At their annual Christmas banquet on Tuesday, the Downtown Rescue Mission served at least 150 people a full meal. About 75 volunteers served the turkey dinners and desserts.
The crowd was a mix of people enrolled in the Mission's recovery program, homeless folks and those who can't afford to put dinner on their tables.
This was the second Christmas at the Mission for a man who just graduated from the year-long recovery program. He said he has come a long way since the holidays last year.
"I haven't had a Christmas this great in the last 10 years. I want to thank the good Lord first because I know He provided all this through the Rescue Mission," said Sedrick McClyde, shelter resident.
Mission leaders said they are seeing a growing number of people who aren't homeless but have very low incomes and need things like clothing and food.
They served about 250,000 meals all year to people in need; that's up from last year's 218,000.
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The need in the community is great, and it continues to grow in the area.
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