Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2023
More than any other time, Christmas is a time for families and friends to celebrate the joy the season brings. For many at the Rome Rescue Mission, there is no home, family, or joy. Children cannot experience the joy of Santa because no one can afford a gift for them, and to many, Christmas Day brings only more loneliness and despair.
We know many are in need today. It’s not just people experiencing homelessness who will join us for Christmas dinner. We’ll see people who are just struggling to get by. There will always be people in our community who are hungry. Our doors are open to anyone who wants to enjoy a traditional Christmas meal.
Location
The Rome Rescue Mission will be providing meals for the holiday at 413 E. Dominick Street
Christmas Day: Meals will be available for dine-in and pick-up. A traditional Christmas Meal will be served at 12pm. The Mission will close at 3pm and be closed the day after Christmas.
Delivery
A Christmas Meal delivery will be on Christmas Eve at the following locations and times. Any person in need can receive a meal at a convenient location.
- Colonial I from 11am to 11:20
- Colonial II from 11:30 to 1145
- Madison Plaza 11:50 to 12:10
- Georgian Arms from 12: 15 to 12:30
- Valentine from 12:40 to 12:55
- Rome Mall Apartments 1:15 to 1:30
Donations Needed
Last year, the Rome Rescue Mission fed more than 500 people at its Christmas Celebration meal and distributed more than 500 meals to the less fortunate throughout the community. With your donation, hundreds of families enjoy a full Christmas meal.
Financial Donations: With the support and love of our community, Christmas can mean more to our less fortunate friends. With a generous donation of twelve dollars, you can provide Christmas for a child at the Rome Rescue Mission. A traditional Christmas meal, a visit from Santa, a toy, and celebrating the birth of baby Jesus can all be made possible with a donation of just twelve dollars.
Food and pantry items: The Mission needs Hams, potatoes, yams, mayo, pasta, sauce, dinner rolls, butter, eggs, juice, fresh fruit, bagels, and items for dressing. Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks can be mailed to PO box 337, Rome, NY 13440. Donations are being accepted Monday through Friday at 413 East Dominick Street from 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.
Children’s Gifts: The Mission also needs presents for children up to age 12. The most requested presents for girls are educational toys, books, clothes, dolls, sleeping bags, arts & crafts, nail polish, hair brushes, gift cards, pajamas, slippers, Bath & Body Products, candles, perfume, socks, tights, and underwear.
The most requested items for boys are educational toys, cars, trucks, science games, watches, boxers, socks, tools, remote control vehicles, hoodies, gift cards, video games, pajamas, and T-shirts.
Last year, over 3,000 children received gifts through our community’s generous donations. “For those struggling to make ends meet, buying gifts for children can be overwhelming. We count it a privilege to help families in need experience some of the love and joy the season is meant to bring,” says Matt Miller. “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the community’s support.”