Gospel Mission gets major $$$!

Here's the text of a news release I've just sent to the media. Praise the Lord Who provides!

(In case the "serious bread" line is lost on you: the Weston Foundation grew out of Weston's Bakeries and the family now owns Superstore, Loblaws, the President's Choice product line and a bunch of other grocery-related concerns.)



News Release Oct. 27, 2009

Weston’s provides serious bread for Gospel Mission

Gospel Mission Society and its ministry, The Lord’s Rain, which provides showers for people on Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, have received a major boost to their financial resources from a major Canadian charitable Foundation.

The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has selected Gospel Mission to receive a grant of $15,000 to go towards its work in what some call “Canada’s Worst Postal Code.” Mr Mark Mitchell, a Director of the W. Garfield Weston Foundation and a third-generation member of the Weston family, will present the cheque at a small ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 9:30am at Gospel Mission, 331 Carrall Street.

This contribution is part of a one-time special program initiated by The Foundation to help organizations like Gospel Mission make it through the current economic downturn. In all, $1.8 million is being divided among 120 groups. Further information about this special program can be found at http://www.westonfoundation.org/tigs/Pages/default.aspx.

Since Gospel Mission and The Lord’s Rain are run by volunteers (except for one paid administrator’s position), money contributed to the Society goes directly where it’s needed most: rent, utilities and supplies.

"We are very pleased be able to assist Gospel Mission in providing guidance and food for people in need,” says Mr Mitchell. “For 80 years, it has ministered to people regardless of race, gender or background, while The Lord’s Rain literally helps people ‘clean up’. We’re confident this contribution will have a direct and immediate impact."

“The provision for this ministry has been a case of the Lord tapping people on the shoulder – individuals, businesses, churches and organizations – to contribute as and when needed,” adds Drew Snider, Assistant Pastor at Gospel Mission. “This contribution makes it so much easier for us to minister the Hope that people need to turn their lives around.”

Founded in 1929 by the Apostolic Church of Pentecost, Gospel Mission is a church that has served Vancouver’s Downtown East Side through the Great Depression, World War II and countless economic ups and downs, helping to catch people who have fallen and encouraging them with the knowledge that they are loved. The Lord’s Rain opened in April 2008, providing showers and a place where people can escape from the street and find friendly conversation (not to mention free coffee!).

Att’n assignment editors: the media are invited to the cheque presentation on Tues. Nov. 3 at 9:30 am. The presentation will take place at Gospel Mission, 331 Carrall Street. Due to the roadwork currently underway in the block, the best parking will be on Cordova Street between Abbott and Columbia.
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