2022 Giving Guide: Hunger and Homelessness
(PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ORLANDO UNION RESCUE MISSION)
Orlando Union Rescue Mission
1521 W. Washington St., Orlando 32805 | 407-422-4855 | ourm.org
For its guests emerging from homelessness, Orlando Union Rescue Mission is more than a temporary home. It’s a new beginning—a haven offering daily necessities in addition to programs designed to break the cycle of homelessness and set people on a lifelong path of independence and self-sufficiency.
The mission’s guests “are transformed from dependent, unemployed victims who are often full of despair into productive citizens with stable housing, good jobs providing financial independence, and a sense of dignity and hope,” says President and CEO Fred Clayton.
Between 250 and 280 residents live at any one time in its two residences: Project Hope, which can house 180 single men; and the Family Home, designed for adults with children. According to Clayton, it provided 404,781 meals and 91,617 nights of shelter for homeless men, women, and children in 2021.
(PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ORLANDO UNION RESCUE MISSION)
The Christian nonprofit relies exclusively on donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations. “We work with a number of local food suppliers, groceries, restaurants and individuals who donate food to us,” he says. Volunteers help prepare and serve meals. The collaborative efforts allow the mission to serve 1,100 meals daily for $1.24 each.
Adults who have not received a high school diploma must attend and graduate from the mission’s high school. After-school activities, tutoring and homework assistance are available for children besides a remedial program for those with learning deficits.
The mission needs additional volunteers to work with children, cook and serve meals, help with landscaping, and do administrative tasks, according to Clayton. It also needs a steady supply of towels, linens and large diapers. “Those gifts or services will help transform lives and restore futures for scores of homeless men, women and children living at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission,” he says.
Other Resources
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida | 411 Mercy Drive | Orlando 32805 | 407-295-1066 | feedhopenow.org
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Osceola County | 4116 Silver Star Road, Orlando 32808 | 407-648-4567 | habitatorlandoosceola.org
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida | 18 N. Terry Ave., Orlando 32801 | 407-652-5300 | centralfloridahomeless.org
Mustard Seed of Central Florida | 12 Mustard Seed Lane, Orlando 32810 | 407-875-2040 | mustardseedfla.org
The Sharing Center | 600 N. Highway 17-92. Suite 130 | Longwood 32750 | 407-260-9155 | thesharingcenter.org
U.S. Hunger | 830 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd. #142 | Longwood 32750 | 888-891-6447 | ushunger.org
One Heart for Women and Children | 2040 N. Rio Grande Ave., Orlando 32804 | 321-299-4594 | oneheartorlando.org
Christian Service Center | 808 W. Central Blvd. Orlando 32805 | 407-425-2523 | christianservicecenter.org
Samaritan Resource Center | 9837 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando 32817 | 407-482-0600 | samaritanresourcecenter.org
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