Please read through this special letter below from Rev. John M. Anderson, Executive Director at the Bay Area Rescue Mission. As they are facing this very tough time, we encourage our members to forward this message on to your colleagues and friends and help where you can to support this important service in our community. Thank you.

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As a special friend of the Bay Area Rescue Mission, I need to let you know that last week I had to lay-off 5 employees. I also accepted the retirement notice of a long-time employee with no plans to replace her in the foreseeable future.

Donations are down and expenses are up. You can help us meet the need. The Rescue Mission’s leadership team made the decision to release staff in hope of not having to significantly reduce or suspend some of our daily assistance to the homeless, hungry and impoverished people of our community.

Currently, the Rescue Mission is behind in more than $120,000 in bills, with more daily operating expenses coming in (items like insurance, PG&E, EBMUD, food and emergency maintenance repairs). As of today, donations for the month of August are down by 9%. Last month they were down by 10%, and during June they were down by 15%.

The people that were laid off are like family, they are my friends and fellow laborers. They are people who are dedicated to helping the homeless and most have dedicated years to the ministry and work that we do at the Bay Area Rescue Mission. Now, they are looking for employment someplace else and honestly, it breaks my heart. Some of us have voluntarily taken cuts in pay and deferred salary until the Rescue Mission can afford to make up wages.

If you can help the Rescue Mission maintain our vital services to the homeless and hungry men, women and children of the Bay Area, please give your extra special donation today by clicking here.

Thank you for helping to share the love of Christ along with shelter and meals for the homeless, hungry and hurting people of the Bay Area.

Sincerely,

Rev. John M. Anderson
Executive Director
Bay Area Rescue Mission