‘Everybody deserves dignity’: Charlotte Rescue Mission offers safe space on Thanksgiving
As the warm scent of turkey, mashed potatoes and cornbread rose through the halls, volunteers decked in white dress shirts, black bow-ties, and black slacks prepared dining tables.
In moments, Rev. Tony Marciano alongside 50 volunteers would open Charlotte Rescue Mission’s dining space for a Thanksgiving meal Thursday, where about 500 people were expected to be served dinner throughout the day. The Mission opened its doors to invite those without housing, recovering from addiction, or otherwise in need of a hot meal in a family atmosphere.
The revamped space mirrored a fine-dining establishment to make all feel special, according to Marciano, who serves as executive director of Charlotte Rescue Mission.
“What we’re doing is we’re lavishing hospitality on all our neighbors and it’s disguised as a Thanksgiving meal,” Marciano said.
Volunteers arrived earlier in the morning to prepare and serve breakfast, and for preparation of the day’s main meal, Marciano said. One room at the Mission showed movies throughout the day, while table games were available in a break area for families who showed up.
Marciano said the Mission worked hard to go beyond just providing a meal. Instead, he wanted all in attendance to feel like Thanksgiving at Grandma’s, where everyone could feel safe, and most importantly, loved, he said.
“We do this to make God’s love so real you could touch it,” Marciano said.
‘Everybody deserves dignity’
The holiday lunch at the Mission brought together new and familiar faces.
Angela Keretsis, a volunteer with the Mission, said she has spent nearly a decade volunteering on Thanksgiving at the Mission with her husband and two sons.
She said one of her fondest memories was when she first brought her sons to volunteer and they discussed what the day was like.
“My oldest told me, ‘I feel so good in my heart,’” Keretsis said. “This is our family tradition now.”
The collaborative effort to prepare and serve the lunch not only brought people together, it showed God’s love for all, according to Brandon Ratliff, a 41-year-old Charlotte resident.
Ratliff, who has been in the Mission’s Rebound Men’s program since October, said the community feel provided on days like this was important. Ratliff, who is, himself, a recovering addict, added he was happy he could help volunteer to help others today.
“You see the presence of God by giving back to the community,” he said.
John Wilson, a 72-year-old Charlotte resident, said he went through the recovery program in 1987, and was happy to return and share the day with others.
“This brings people together,” he said. “You can meet others, or reconnect to see how they’re living a better life now.”
Laura Gorecki, chief dignity officer with Project Outpour, one of the nonprofits on site, said collaborative efforts like today were important. Her nonprofit provided new socks, underwear and T-shirts as well as an onsite mobile shower.
“We believe everybody deserved dignity,” Gorecki said. “And we want people to have access to as many services as possible.”
As lunch was passed out, the familial vibe was evident throughout the Mission. Ratliff said it was a blessing to see.
“To come here and see what God can do at his finest is what’s keeping me here,” Ratliff said.
This story was originally published November 24, 2022 at 4:46 PM.
