Volunteers at the City Rescue Mission Celebrate with the Less Fortunate

This Memorial Day one woman knows much about loss. While her own loss brings sadness, she makes up for it by serving others. Gladys Thompson, Executive Director of the City Rescue Mission has been a blessing to the city and the impoverished population for the past six years.

Thompson’s son Carlos was killed in 2007 in Iraq at just 26 years old. After that devastating loss Thompson said she threw herself into her work.

“I find peace within and I have this job to help me,” said Thomson. “Ironically, these people that I am here for were the ones here for me during my tough times. I want my life to be a living testament for others.”

The Fayetteville City Rescue Mission was established in 1974 and Thompson literally stepped into the fire the day she took over in September 2007. Her first day was the day the original building burned down. She is the first female director of the mission and has been awarded numerous humanitarian awards for her efforts.

Saturday afternoon Folks from Mt. Sinai Baptist Chruch were also on hand to volunteer and help feed many of Fayetteville's homeless population and less fortunate lined up for a box lunch, donated boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, sanitary items and clothing and shoes.

There were some Veterans who have fallen on hard times among the crowd and are grateful for the City Rescue Mission's existence. Thompson estimates she fed around 200 people by noon.

In the small location on 331 Adam Street Thompson typcially houses four females but says so many more homeless people are out there truly needing assistance. She is in prayer for a new location to provide her services to with the ability to reach more people through her ministry.

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