Lighthouse Mission Ministries is planning a traditional Christmas dinner with ham and all the trimmings for hundreds of people experiencing homelessness in the Bellingham area.
Hans Erchinger-Davis, President and CEO of Lighthouse Mission Ministries, said a special meal is especially important this year.
“People who are homeless have often lost connection with their families, which hits even harder during the holidays,” Erchinger-Davis said. “The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent rains that saturated homeless encampments are compounding their struggles.”
During the Christmas season, a meal becomes a bridge to building trust with people who are homeless, Erchinger-Davis said. A warm Christmas dinner with ham, potatoes, corn and plenty of desserts reminds them that they are seen, loved, and not alone, he added.
Because of COVID-19 safety protocols, the dinner has to utilize fewer volunteers as in past years. Dinner will be served to hundreds at Base Camp and the Lighthouse Mission’s Old Town Recovery programs, who already have been tested. In addition, meals will be brought outside to all who come to Base Camp on Christmas Day, Erchinger-Davis said.
Each Christmas dinner costs only $2.17. Anyone wishing to support the Christmas Day meal through prayer, volunteering or financial support may call (360) 733-5120 or visit www.thelighthousemission.org.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries has been helping people who are homeless since 1923. It cares for up to 310 people each day and provides a continuum of services aimed at ending homelessness through street outreach, enhanced shelters, addiction recovery, spiritual support, and aftercare.
