ST. PAUL, Min. — Volunteers from St. Paul’s Union Gospel Mission served hundreds of holiday meals at a free lunch Wednesday.
The annual event is free and open to anyone in need of a meal.
“We just want people to know they are welcome,” said volunteer Bob Schoenbaum. “We want people to know that God loves them. We want people to know that this is a place they can come.”
At the sit-down meal, volunteers were used as wait staff, which Union Gospel Mission believes should create an environment of respect and dignity.
“We live our faith by our works and deeds, and we give love and grace through those works and deeds,” says Sarah Peterka of Union Gospel Mission. “People experiencing homelessness sometimes feel invisible or ignored – so it’s time to say, ‘Merry Christmas, good morning, what can I get you, can we talk?’ It’s just the time to connect.”
“Everyone who comes through this is going through something – we want people to know that this is a place they can come and feel the love and care that we can provide,” Schoenbaum said.
