Hundreds of people headed to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday.
Staff and volunteers work for months to gather food donations, cook and serve the 300-meal feast each year.
The Rescue Mission, 535 E. Yanonali St., has seen a 20 percent increase in people needing its services this year because of the economy, and people at Wednesday’s feast just needed a good meal.
“We’re seeing a lot more families this year than we have in the past,” Rescue Mission President Rolf Geyling said.
The Rescue Mission has services available for local homeless and manages a 12-month residential treatment program. It houses and feeds a few dozen homeless people each night in addition to hosting large meals for holidays throughout the year.
— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper can be reached at lcooper@noozhawk.com. Noozhawk staff writer Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com.
