Bend’s Bethlehem Inn invites people to join a Christmas lunch, enjoy a hot meal
(Update: Adding video, comments from staff, residents)
BEND, Ore.(KTVZ) -- Bethlehem Inn provides safety, hope, as well as a holiday meal for people, on Christmas. The nonprofit wanted to bring the community together, inviting those without a family, to enjoy a Christmas meal.
"For me, it's gathering as a community," Matthew Kaiser Jones Smith said Wednesday. "Without them, I wouldn't have been able to go to school right now. Go to get my associates, get my life back together."
Dozens of people attended, ready for a hot meal of - stuffing, mash potatoes, turkey and pies. People also reflected on what they're grateful for.
Catherine Kirkland said, "All the programs that the case managers and the staff offer are excellent to quickly get you back on track."
Fifteen Mountain View High School basketball teammates were at the lunch, giving back to the community, by serving the meals to residents.
Senior Brady Kennedy said, "I just think it's a really cool experience getting all our teammates together, coming out here and serving the community just because we - I mean, we know that how much it helps."
Senior Mason Chambers said, "It's a great thing to do. You have your Christmas morning and open your presents to you, celebrate, and then you are able to come here and just and, you know, have a help."
Bethlehem Inn's vision is to end homelessness in Central Oregon together.
Executive director Gwenn Wysling said, "I work for the individuals that are here, and that's what our community really helps remind us that we all have difficult times and we can help one another in ways that can help transform lives."
