Allentown Rescue Mission

While most children look forward to receiving a treat from their advent calendars, these two young men gave gifts for their reverse Advent calendar! With a reverse Advent calendar instead of getting a treat each day, you give one. Throughout December these boys collected a food item a day for the men of the Allentown Rescue Mission. On behalf of the men we serve, we thank you guys from the bottom of our hearts! Please visit https://buff.ly/34rJVK6 to see how you can help homeless men today.

Thanks to your support, we were able to serve 46,445 nutritionally balanced meals last year to the homeless men in our care. Help us feed the men in this year by donating food items. We’re currently looking for frozen/canned vegetables, canned tuna, fish sticks, milk, and more. To see the full list of our needed items, please visit https://buff.ly/2WmwHtv

Thank you to Tom & his neighbors. Together with his neighbors, Tom collect 20 full boxes of supplies for our men! Your donations will help uplift homeless men in the Greater Lehigh Valley. Do you want to help homeless men? Click on the link to see how you can help https://buff.ly/34rJVK6

Are you familiar with our Clean Team? Our Clean Team is an innovative workforce development company that provides transitional employment to formerly homeless men. All men earn over state minimum wage and save a nest egg until they find permanent employment at an independent company in the Lehigh Valley. To fund the Clean Team and provide wages, conduct general labor projects for residential and commercial customers in the Lehigh Valley. The Clean Team runs multiple jobsites a day and to do so, owns a fleet of vehicles. We spend over $13,000 a year on fuel not to mention thousands more on maintenance. Would you consider a monetary gift today to help us keep our vehicles maintained and fuel in the tanks? Any gift helps. To donate immediately online visit https://buff.ly/35FbTRG

The Emmaus Veterans Committee’s donation was reported on WFMZ. Almost makes you want to cry sometimes. Especially with the people who are there and thank us like you wouldn’t believe, [Gary] said. It’s really nice. Read the full story here

Scott recently graduated from our Transformation Program and now works in our Food Service Department. He likes using his time here to give back and serve his brothers. He does this not only with his work, but by also keeping their spirits up during throughout this pandemic. Scott knows he’s still a work in progress, but aren’t we all? He’s content in knowing that he’s helping those in need and quotes 1 Corinthians 15:10, But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain (NKJV). https://buff.ly/2MYB6zn

Every year the Allentown Rescue Mission provides a traditional Thanksgiving meal to its homeless men on Thanksgiving Day. The holidays bring with them an increased need for food and supplies, and to meet the increased demand, the Allentown Rescue Mission is urgently calling on the community to donate food and supplies through its Thanks for Giving campaign. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations can participate in this event by collecting food and supply items for ...donation. You can find the most urgently needed items online at https://buff.ly/2MtLlhd. The Allentown Rescue Mission will have two donation drop-off days: Friday, November 20th (between 3:00 pm 6:00 pm) and Saturday, November 21st (between 10:00 am 2:00 pm). However, if you collect food and supplies past those dates, you’ll be able to schedule your drop-off on a different day. Contactless drop-off will be available, and we will be observing all COVID-19 social distancing and mask requirements. The drop-off location is 355 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18101. A nutritious meal is at the heart of the Thanksgiving season, and we want to help bless our homeless neighbors during this season, said CEO Stuart Smith. Through this special holiday outreach, we can provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, along with friendly fellowship, to people who would otherwise go without it. It’s a way to share the celebration of Thanksgiving with those who join us at our dining tables. You can also make financial gifts to the Allentown Rescue Mission online at https://buff.ly/2MtLlhd. Your contribution will help stock our pantry, provide shelter, spiritual guidance, and other vital services that empower homeless men to build stable lives. For information about the Allentown Rescue Mission’s programs and services, visit https://buff.ly/2MtLlhd or call (610) 740-5500.

Our work and the men we help are supported by you; by our community. Take Jeff Virojanapa for example. Jeff is a restaurateur who owns two restaurants with his parents in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area: White Orchids Thai Cuisine and Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar. Thanks to the pandemic many restaurants are hurting, but still, Jeff and his restaurant Notch found a way to give to the community during this time. Jeff partnered with the Allentown Rotary Club, and donated 50 coconut rice and chicken bowls for the men at the Allentown Rescue Mission. The Allentown Rescue Mission would like to thank Jeff, the Allentown Rotary Club, and the staff at Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar for their generous donation. Visit us to learn more: https://buff.ly/2nCd8Re

We want to give a big, heartfelt thank you to Lauri, Andreh, and Justin from the GIANT Food Store in Bethlehem! Lauri, the Bakery Manager, called us to tell us that they wanted give special goodie bags to men staying at our shelter. Then Andreh, the Assistant Store Manager, and Justin, the Assistant Bakery Manager, showed up with a car-load of bags filled with goodies from GIANT. Thank you for helping the Allentown Rescue Mission and serving your community! https://buff.ly/2PhBFVv

Today we want you to meet Ryan. Ryan recently graduated from our Transformation Program and used to work for the Clean Team. He says that being a part of the Clean Team gave him the confidence to get back in the workforce and get his own full time job. He is now a production associate at a local factory and makes all sorts of cards. He told us, I really enjoy my new job, and I appreciate what God and the Allentown Rescue Mission have done for me. I am very thankful to say that I am getting back on my feet again. Thank you Ryan for inspiring our work and for being awesome. Three cheers for Ryan! https://buff.ly/2MYB6zn

A sweet couple on a sweet ride gave us a sweet gift! This couple went for a ride on their Harley and on the way donated bread to our cause. Thank you for your support! You too can bring your donations via your sweet ride.

Do you, or someone you know, have a crew cab pickup truck that you no longer need? Consider donating it to us! We’ll take it regardless of the miles and your gift will be tax-deductible. One of our Clean Team Trucks will soon be put out to pasture due to body rust, and we’re in need of a replacement. By donating a pickup truck to the Allentown Rescue Mission, you’re directly helping formerly homeless men in our Clean Team. The truck will provide them transportation to and from our many jobsites in the community. If you can help please reach out to Michael Mauro, Clean Team Manager at [email protected] or by phone 610-740-5500 x332

We want to congratulate October’s Clean Team Member of the Month, Tim. The Allentown Rescue Mission’s Clean Team has many great employees, but this month Tim shone the brightest. A few years ago, Tim spent time homeless. He came to the Allentown Rescue Mission, graduated from the Transformation Program, worked on the Clean Team, and got back on his feet. He had a steady job, his own place, a life transformed. Unfortunately, he lost his job due to the pandemic. Soon his saving...s ran out, and he had no place to stay. Luckily, he remembered the kindness he was shown at the Allentown Rescue Mission and knew he was not alone. I knew I could come back to the Mission; I knew they would welcome me and do right by me, explains Tim. The Allentown Rescue Mission shelters and helps hundreds of men each year and is always ready to receive homeless men in crisis. Tim currently resides in the 3rd-floor dorms along with the other Clean Team members in the Allentown Rescue Mission. As an employee of the Clean Team, he helps keep the streets of Allentown clean, and his supervisor is thrilled with his work. Every day he is energized and ready to work. Working for the Clean Team gives me the opportunity to save money to get my own place. This job is a Godsend during these difficult times, says Tim. The Allentown Rescue Mission wants to congratulate Tim for his hard work and remind everyone in need that they are not alone. Whatever help one may need, know that there are people and organizations out there that are happy to help. To learn more about the services the Allentown Rescue Mission provides https://buff.ly/2MtLlhd.

Jeff and his family are active supporters of the Allentown Rescue Mission. They participate in our fundraising efforts, and they employ the Clean Team for projects. They support our work because, according to Jeff’s family, the Mission gave them back their husband and father. Jeff came to the Allentown Rescue Mission about 6 years ago. His issues with addiction affected his family life to the extent that he was asked leave their home. He obliged. He joined our Transforma...tion Program, worked on our Clean Team, earned his commercial driver’s license, and is now a truck driver. More importantly, he was able to rebuild his life with his family. Jeff’s wife says, the Mission gave Jeff the tools to live life as a sober man, and they are always there for him if needed. We both thank and congratulate Jeff for being a part of the Allentown Rescue Mission. https://buff.ly/2nCd8Re See more

Over the past few weeks Roberto, an Emergency Shelter resident, has been the caretaker of the Shelter’s courtyard. The COVID-19 restrictions have been tough on the residents of the Shelter, but Roberto passes the time by being productive. He cleans, weeds, waters, and trims the plants in the Shelter’s courtyard. But he isn’t alone. Many of the residents of the Shelter have come together alongside Roberto to take care of the courtyard. As you can see, the courtyard has never looked more beautiful! https://buff.ly/2MYB6zn

Each year the Allentown Rescue Mission helps approximately 800 homeless, hungry, and hurting men in need. And although we are fond of all of them, some make such a lasting impression that we keep thinking about them long after they are gone. One such man is Robert, or as his friends call him, Bob. Bob went through our Transformation Program and worked for our Clean Team. "Bob was one of the Clean Team's first part-time drivers. His job was to collect all the trash bags our gu...ys fill during the day throughout Allentown and work as a lead worker on job sites. He did a great job and had a great attitude." Michael Mauro, our Clean Team/Facilities Manager, fondly remembers. While employed by the Clean Team, Bob found an apartment in Downtown Allentown, adopted a stray cat, and even reconnected with his high school girlfriend from over 45 years ago. After leaving the Clean Team, Bob found employment at a Sunoco gas station in Allentown as a porter and janitor. Mike would often pass that Sunoco on his way to work, see Bob's car, and remember how lives are changed by the Allentown Rescue Mission. Sadly, Bob passed away in 2018 from cancer, but his presence still lingers with us. Mike says, "Every time I pass that gas station, I take a little glance secretly hoping to see Bob's car still there so I can stop in and say hi." Thank you to all our donors, supporters, and friends who make it possible for us to help the "Bobs" of the world. We are forever grateful.

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The Allentown Rescue Mission's Clean Team plays a pivotal part in instilling positive and lasting change in the, formerly homeless, graduates of the Mission's "Transformation Program." Upon graduating from the Transformation Program, our life skills program, any man can be hired as an employee of the Clean Team. They are paid hourly, and they reside at the Mission until they find permanent employment and housing elsewhere in the community. "The Clean Team really works. It's a... program for the men, by the men," says Clean Team and Facilities Manager, Michael Mauro. And adds, "Our Clean Team employees do great work, and we're changing the perceptions of homelessness, one customer at a time." The Clean Team is available for hire by both commercial and residential customers. They are fully insured with workers' compensation and liability, and they ready to work for you. For a full list of type of work the Clean Team conducts and how to hire, visit the Clean Team's webpage: https://buff.ly/35FbTRG. See more