LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington Rescue Mission was determined to continue its tradition of serving hundreds of meals the day before Thanksgiving despite the pandemic's added challenge.
The non-profit served 589 meals Wednesday, more than it has in previous years. According to Kim Livesay, Director of Development for Lexington Rescue Mission, the need was likely greater because many families are struggling due to the pandemic.
"A lot of people have lost their jobs, or they're working less, so Thanksgiving and the holidays are going to be tough," Livesay said.
Usually, the non-profit has invited about 400 people into Broadway Christian Church for a warm meal, but this year people had a delivery or pick-up option.
"We had to think through every little procedure this year, how we handle the food and how the volunteers interacted with
people," she said.
But it was worth it, she said, to offer a bit of normalcy on the holiday.
"We want people to know they're not forgotten. This is a hard time, but people care about them," she said.
Some of those people were volunteers like Chris Rodgers and Todd Richardson, who've been volunteering with Lexington Rescue Mission for the past decade. The pair made multiple deliveries Wednesday.
"People are stuck inside, and we're doing our part to try to make sure they're fed today," Richardson said.
Rodgers said the pandemic has made this holiday difficult, but there's still so much to be grateful for.
"We always want to slow down and enjoy the holidays, so now we're being forced to. Slow down and enjoy it," he said.
