LA Mission Christmas Meal

On Christmas Eve, the LA Mission gave their annual Christmas Meal. This year there has been a lot more need for their kind service as the economic downturns has hit people from all walks of life. Most missions have seen a surge in the demand for free meal services. "It is clearly economically based", said Herb Smith of the Midnight Mission. "Our greatest increase has not been in the form of hot meals but
in carry out box lunches. People are working,but in order to keep paying rent and the other bills, they must sacrifice the amount of money that can go for meals. The hot box lunches also go to women with children. We have seen a upsurge in single parent women requesting meals for their children."

At a time when demand for meal services are up, all of the Missions are experiencing a decrease in donations. They are off anywhere from 10 to 30 percent, from this time last year, depending with whom you speak.

So clearly the LA Mission had their work cut out for them. There were loads of gifts to give away as well as a show with gospel singing. Everyone was smiling at at a time when there is little to smile about. Later, in the street people were talking about how great the meal was at the mission. So it is clear that the LA Mission accomplished its mission of giving many people a Merry Christmas.