After six decades of serving Christmas and Thanksgiving meals to the needy in South Tucson, the Gospel Rescue Mission is partnering with an Oro Valley school to serve an Easter meal as well.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Good News Community Church, 701 W. Glenn St., and they expect about 70 children and 30 adults to attend — along with 25 volunteers, according to the Rev. Steve Trost.
One person is donating enough ham for more than 100 people, and the organization and its volunteers will provide all of the side dishes. Eighth grade students from Casas Christian School will bring arts and crafts supplies and lead a project for any children. Dana Graham, chair of the Parent Teacher Fellowship Committee at Casas Christian School, said the committee researched various community organizations and decided to form a partnership with Gospel Rescue Mission. The school leadership wanted to offer students the opportunity to serve others in a more diverse community.
According to Graham, Casas based its selection on history of community involvement and willingness to partner with the school.
“The school has a real desire to help, and the [85705] zip code has a real need,” said the Mission’s Community Relations Director Suzanne Williams. “Casas leadership want their students to mentor and tutor children in an area that needs it. This is Easter meal is the perfect event to establish that relationship.”