Williams, community outreach is the third leg of the mission’s ministry chair, along with a men’s center, and a women’s and children’s center. The mission operates a produce market where people can shop for free donated produce. People can also get free clothing, shoes, furniture, and appliances, all of which has been donated. Suzanne says the stories abound about people the mission has helped keep off the streets. “The almost-homeless are on the edge of making such difficult decisions as, ‘Do I pay the rent or get the medicine for my child?’” she says. “That’s why God put together Community Ministries in Tucson, to serve this especially needy group of people.” Rob Spaulding, executive director of The Christian Center in Anderson, Indiana, has found that the number of meals his mission serves to the public has dramatically risen. “More people are dining with us to keep from losing their homes or living situations,” he says. “Often, people living in or near poverty have to choose between paying their rent or eating; paying utilities or eating. Our research indicates that there is a growing number of people who use our services, free meals, and clothing to stay out of homelessness.” People in need who live in Oxnard, California, find a safety net through the Rescue Mission Alliance. Retail food stores and food distributing companies donate 102,000 pounds of food to the Valley Food Bank each week, and local church food pantries distribute it. The four rescue missions that make up the Alliance also distribute donated hygiene products, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies. Communications Specialist Joann Gillett, who serves at the Alliance, shares, “It would be impossible to serve as many as we do without the added benefit of operating a food bank.” The Medford Gospel Mission in Oregon has a different take on the food bank concept: They operate a free restaurant called the Main Ingredi- ent. “The restaurant has enabled us to reach out to the larger community by serving restaurant- quality food in a fun environment with the help of community volunteers,” says Executive Director Jason Bull. “About 50 percent of our diners on any given night are not homeless but the working poor, unemployed, and underemployed. This restau- rant gives them the opportunity to utilize the income that they may have used for other living expenses. Men and women that are in our whole person restoration program prepare the food every night, and dedicated volunteers play the part of waiters and waitresses.” Lending a Helping Hand A t times community members need more than groceries or a meal to keep them- selves off the streets. Some ministries help people by paying their bills or offering low-cost housing. “Sometimes all a person needs to stay sheltered is to have a utility bill paid,”  WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG MAY/JUNE 2019 19 “About 50 percent of our diners on any given night are not homeless but the working poor, unemployed, and underemployed. This restaurant gives them the opportunity to utilize the income that they may have used for other living expenses.”