HARRISBURG, Pa. — Volunteers across Pennsylvania rallied together on Monday to help serve the less fortunate.
The spirit of the holiday was shining bright at Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg.
Holiday music filled the room at the nonprofit for the first time since the COVID pandemic, as organizers could once again host an in-person holiday get together.
For former resident Charles Dennis, Monday’s dinner was a gift.
“It’s just such a blessing to see all the people that come out to volunteer and the people that’s going to come and enjoy their meal,” Dennis said.
As of December 2023, Bethesda Mission houses 98 men, but organizers expected to serve even more people for dinner.
“We’re looking anywhere from 100 people from the community coming out to have dinner, we have, probably about 30 volunteers in there to help serve,” Dennis said.
One of those was a former employee, now volunteer, Ken Ross.
“You know, across America this morning everybody woke up, it’s Christmas, everybody is happy, joyous, they’re looking for gifts underneath the tree, but a lot of people who are coming in here tonight probably didn’t have a tree, might not have had any gifts, and a lot of their concerns was ‘where’s my next meal,’” Ross said.
Ross worked at the mission for more than 20 years before retiring and believes volunteerism is the best gift people can give during the holiday.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this, Bethesda Mission has been doing this for about 120 years now, meeting the needs of the poor and the homeless and trying to bring joy and restoration to lives of the lost,” Ross said.
Volunteers served people by delivering meals to tables. Many people gave thanks to the mission and the volunteers, including Dennis.
“This place helped changed my life for the better, like it does everyone who comes through these doors,” Dennis said.
Bethesda Mission is currently accepting monetary donations online.
Clothing, food, and vehicle donations can be made by visiting its physical address at 611 Reily Street, Harrisburg.