One Capital Region organization's mission is to serve meals for those in need on Easter Sunday when many cannot prepare their own meal. They hope to serve those in the community who struggle to make ends meet, by providing a hot, delicious meal to enjoy.

Those at the Capital City Rescue Mission gave some of their time to something greater than themselves on Sunday. This includes coming together to make a difference by serving the community and working to create a better world.

"I got goosebumps right now because it was just giving back to be able to help another person,” said Beverly McMillan, resident assistant of Capital City Rescue Mission. “And it wasn't out of my pocket, it was just giving back for what has been freely given to me.”

McMillan knows what it’s like to be in a vulnerable situation and go without. Now that she is on the other side of the coin, she is giving back and helping those in need. She is assisting the Capital City Rescue Mission in its mission to serve vulnerable citizens with a hot Easter meal free of charge.

“The mission gave me a place to live when I needed it, and it provided me with a long-term program to overcome my hurts, my habits, and my hang-ups,” McMillan said.

Capital City Rescue Mission, a nonprofit organization in Albany, has been serving Easter dinners for 40 years. 

For Perry Jones, the organization’s executive director, this is a day to worship Christ’s resurrection and fellowship with the community. 

"It gives me great satisfaction to know that people are being blessed and loved by what God has given us and what we can do,” Jones said. “He hasn't given us any other orders but to keep serving those who need us.”

This year, the nonprofit organization will serve over 1,800 meals to the community, with the option to dine in or take it to go. Providing services all year long, they assist the homeless, by providing shelter and helping those affected by substance abuse find recovery programs.

Gremel Street is a participant in the New Life Program who knows how it feels to be on the other side of the table.

“I was in the shoes where I wasn't able to help anybody, I was there to help me,” Street said. “So, therefore, putting my mind to the test of putting everything to work and seeing everything turn a full circle, it was like, wow, I really can be part of a community that helps others. And I can do it freely without wanting anything back.”

The Capital City Rescue Mission provides a variety of services that you and someone you know can access by visiting CapitalCityRescueMission.org.