Supporting efforts to end homelessness

October 10 has been designated World Homeless Day to draw attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage an ‘international day’ provides. 

In recognition of this day, we are pleased to announce that RESCUE! will sponsor the Union Gospel Mission City-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner at the Spokane Convention Center on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

In addition to underwriting the costs of Convention Center rental, advertising, marketing materials and mailings to downtown low-income residents, Sterling will send a team of 26 employees and family members to help serve meals, bus tables and wash dishes.

The Union Gospel Mission has worked to meet the needs of those who are less fortunate in Spokane for more than 65 years. What began as a downtown soup kitchen in 1951 has expanded into a comprehensive ministry with four shelters, three recovery programs, two thrift stores, an automotive enterprise, and an outreach center and summer camp for underprivileged youth. 

In the past year alone, 186 men and women broke the cycle of homelessness by graduating out of the recovery program and finding jobs. As Executive Director Phil Altmeyer explains, "A paycheck is important, but the value of a job extends beyond the financial. Meaningful work brings dignity and self-respect."

Since 2001, Sterling International has been a supporter of UGM with both financial gifts and willing volunteers. Each month, a team of Sterling employees visits UGM to serve lunch during the workday.

Even before sponsoring, Sterling International President Rod Schneidmiller and his family have participated in serving the Thanksgiving Dinner in years past. Summing up why the company has supported UGM all these years, he says, “Union Gospel Mission does more than just offer food, clothing and shelter to homeless individuals. They lift people up by providing tools and instilling a sense of value and hope, so they can become contributing members of the surrounding community – thereby breaking the vicious cycle of homelessness in our area.”