“How are you guys? Do you know what you're going to have? There's the menu!”
Michelle acts as hostess at Mel Trotter Ministries Shelter Cafeteria.
“You have ham and chicken. Yeah, it's going to be good.”
More than 300 men, women and children come to the annual Christmas Community Meal complete with all the traditional favorites.
Chief Financial Officer Gordon Oosting says winter has already hit hard.
“There's a lot of need, and when it gets real cold, like it's been and a lot of snow and difficult to get around, we just see the number of people staying here increase dramatically.”
Sponsored by the DTE Foundation, the luncheon is open to Heartside neighborhood residents and anyone in the community experiencing homelessness.
“The people we serve, they act like a family and they kind of stay together. So being all here together and seeing each other and having a lot of dignity, just lifts their spirits tremendously.”
Mel Trotter is the largest provider of services for the homeless in West Michigan, assisting nearly 5,000 people last year, offering transitional housing, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and job training in addition to meals for the hungry.
Those enjoying the holiday lunch are sent off with a cheery wave from Michelle.
“Are you all set? Okay! You're welcome!”
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