(Photo: Len Wood/Staff)
Posted in the Santa Maria Times – November 17, 2017
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More than 100 hundred volunteers served up heaping helpings of hope, fellowship and the traditional Thanksgiving meal Friday during the 14th annual Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast’s holiday community feast.

“The most important thing here is to let these people experience dignity, let them know that they are valuable, let them know that they are loved,” said Jon Bronkowski, Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast program manager. “So often, when you are down and out, you feel like no one cares about you.”

The Rescue Mission Alliance Central Coast, which provides services to area men and women in need of housing, food and moral support throughout the year, aimed to serve a few hundred people at the Santa Maria Veterans’ Memorial Community Center. The banquet was open to anyone who felt they could benefit from a free holiday meal.

Last year, the Rescue Mission held the community meal at the Santa Maria Fairpark but wanted to bring the event to the veterans center because it is closer to its thrift store and 18-bed life recovery home.

“We are in this neighborhood every day. There is not a lot of extra anything,” Bronkowski said. “When funds are that tight, parents feel like they are not going to be able to provide for their children, are not the parents they want to be. That just crushes hope.”

Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino was on hand to help spread the holiday spirit.

“We are all very lucky to be living in a city like Santa Maria that is so giving,” she said. “People are really willing to step up. It amazes me the people that come out and give.”

The annual celebration is made possible by donations from the community and volunteers, who work to help prepare and serve the feast.

“We have hundreds of individuals that gave to this event financially and we also have more than a hundred people giving of their time. Without people who care, this event doesn’t happen,” Bronkowski said.

Folks from local businesses and organizations, including Santa Barbara Public Health, FedEx, Starbucks, members of Grace Baptist and other churches, were among some of the volunteers who came to help.