To Be Known and Loved: Easter 2024

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.”

Timothy Keller

Each Easter at Denver Rescue Mission, we strive to make each of our guests feel fully known and truly loved. One of the ways we express that in the Spring is through our Easter Banquets, during which we individually serve each of our guests a special meal as we celebrate the joyous occasion.

Although we serve meals all year long, our Easter banquet is something special. A meal is something so many of us take for granted, but at the Mission, this Easter meal gives our guests an opportunity to share a meal in the company of friends, be reminded that they are loved and to celebrate the joy of Easter! 

Volunteers Make the Difference

Once again, this spring we have nearly 100 volunteers helping us out with our three Easter Banquets as well as an Easter Egg hunt for the youth at The Crossing. We are always so grateful for our volunteers, donors, and staff for sharing their joy and love towards our guests.   

Our Easter events began with our first banquet at The Crossing on Wednesday evening. Individuals in our New Life Program and Bridge Program are treated to a special meal prepared by our chefs. At the end of the banquet each guest received a gift. To top it off, the children were also gifted with assorted Easter baskets filled with toys and candy. This year nearly 300 were donated. Any additional baskets that are not given away at the banquet will be sent to the Ministry Outreach Center for our families who use our Housing and Client Services. 

More Than 900 Plates Served to Guests in Need

On Friday, we hosted two banquets during the lunch hour, in which we served over 900 plates of food to guests of the Mission. At the end of the banquet at our 48th Avenue Center location, guests of the Mission were able to get a brand-new pair shoes. The shoes were provided in partnership with Runners Roost. The guests at the Lawrence Street banquet were gifted with brand new Bomba socks, head phones and a coffee packet. 

This year’s Easter Banquet meal featured a ham and brisket main dish with potatoes, rolls and a variety of desserts for guest of the Mission to enjoy! 

A special shout-out to our friends at Runners Roost who partnered with us to provide shoes to guests in need this year.

While experiencing homelessness, you end up spending a lot of time on your feet, moving from one location to another, hurrying to case management appointments, meals, shelter, and more. So a sturdy and clean pair of shoes is a big blessing.

An Easter Egg Hunt Brings Smiles to Children at The Crossing

At The Crossing, families and individuals in our Bridge program find assistance with transitioning out of homelessness and into stable, self-sufficient housing. In fact, last year alone we helped 539 families obtain housing.

For families at The Crossing this Easter, Friday afternoon was full of excitement with our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Late in the afternoon on Good Friday, two dozen children whose parents are in the Bridge program at The Crossing were treated to an Easter art project in the Youth Room then an Easter Egg hunt in the playground outside, where more than 700 colorful eggs filled with treats were hidden.

Thank You for Helping Us Change Lives This Easter

Though it may not look like it, a simple meal, a smile and expressions of love and yes, even a colorful plastic egg filled with candy can play a small role in changing someone’s life.

Guests at our various shelters who join us for a meal or seek shelter overnight find nourishment and the briefest moments of stability in an otherwise chaotic experience. Just being able to sleep in a safe location for the night is known to increase the chances that someone will find more success getting into programs and services to help them get off the street.

A guest at our 48th Avenue Center prays with a staff member at our Easter banquet.

And for the children in our Bridge program, the simple joy of an Easter Egg hunt can bring a sense of normalcy. As they engage with after school programming at The Crossing, our goal is to help them grow in their self-esteem and challenge them to continue to be successful in their education. Experiencing homelessness as a child can have a direct influence on high school graduation and experiencing homelessness later in life.

We are always appreciative of the generosity of our community during the holidays that help us continue to spread joy and make our guests feel valued. We hope our Easter celebrations can act as a reminder of the grace and goodness of Jesus Christ and the power of His everlasting love. 

Written by: Maria Isabel Salazar, Marketing/Communications Intern