Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- The Rescue Mission is seeing a record number of people relying on its food and temporary housing programs. On Monday, more than 200 men were invited to the Rescue Mission’s Christmas Eve.
As the Rescue Mission celebrates Christmas, Jonathan Artopee is rejoicing in a new beginning.
“I was having some financial problems, some personal problems, and I heard about the Rescue Mission and I thought this would be a good place to get a new start,” Artopee said.
More than 130 men are spending the holiday at the Syracuse Rescue Mission’s emergency shelter.
“A lot of times people that come into the emergency shelter have just the clothes on their back,” said Alan Thornton with the Syracuse Rescue Mission.
Each tenant was given hooded sweatshirts, gloves, socks and hats that were donated.
Artopee didn't ask for gifts this Christmas. He says he's praying for health, strength, and the ability to sort out his troubles, and move back home.
“Christmas is a time of celebration. It's a time of hope and for a lot of folks coming into our shelter, they're in a place where they don't have a lot of hope and so a service like this is a reminder that people care about them,” Thornton said.
On Tuesday, The Rescue Mission will be serving more than 2,000 Christmas lunches to those in need.
