Dear Friend,

With every week that passes, the situation for the unemployed, the hungry and the homeless in Orange County just gets more serious. The Orange County Rescue Mission has been operating at full capacity for months. Demand for our services is well beyond anything I have ever seen in my nearly 20 years at the Mission. County services have been cut to the bone, or eliminated entirely. Governor Schwarzenegger and the legislature are taking an ax to state programs that serve children, the sick and the elderly. (That’s not a political statement, that’s just a fact!)

In this environment, the Orange County Rescue Mission is one of the few reliable social safety nets out there. Every week I wonder how we’re going to make it from Monday to Friday. How can we possibly keep up with the rising demand? That’s why I am attaching this special report. Operation Lighthouse is the Mission’s special campaign to raise the resources we need to continue to serve as many men, women and children in need as we possibly can. Our goal is to raise $295,415 in the next six weeks. It’s a huge effort, but I know with your help we can keep the light on for the Least, the Last and the Lost.

Can you send a gift today? I won’t suggest an amount. Look into your heart, or ask the Lord for guidance. I trust you to do what you think is best.

Today’s economic crisis has hit families in so many ways. Those who have lost jobs, homes and savings need ALL the services your generosity makes possible: basic health care, counseling, even legal services. But what really matters most are the basics. Food. Clothing. Shelter. That’s what your support of Operation Lighthouse will help us provide. It all begins with food. Our kitchen staff routinely prepares more than 1,000 meals a day for families living at the Village of Hope.

At the Mission’s food distribution sites around the county, the lines are longer than you can imagine: At one site, about 75 families used to show up to receive food boxes. Lately, the number has been closer to 200! Some people might be shocked to see that level of need in Orange County. It’s not supposed to be like that around here. And it doesn’t have to be ... if you will help.

Over the next several months, homeless men, anxious single mothers with young children, and worried families will come to the Orange County Rescue Mission after exhausting all their other resources, and will get the help they so desperately need — because of your kindness. Thank you, in advance, for your generous response during this critical time.

In His service,

     
     Jim Palmer, President

P.S. — Experts say we’re in a recovery. Even if that’s true, the families the Mission serves will likely be the last to benefit. Desperate families need help — our help! — because there aren’t many other places left to go. To raise the $295,415 we need, we’ll have to hear from generous friends like you soon. Please send a gift today. Thank you.