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THURSDAY, APR IL 30, 2020 • KOKOMO TR IBUNE / PHAROS-TR IBUNE
TYLER JURANOVICH
KOKOMO TRIBUNE
J
essica Sinning would normally not be passing
out food and bags full of groceries to families
in need outside the Kokomo Rescue Mission
and its warehouse, but these are not normal times.
Sinning is the mission’s chief operating and
outreach manager, overseeing the mission’s daily
operations, building maintenance, the dining
program and other day-to-day items.
It’s a position that keeps her mostly behind the
scenes, but the mission has halted allowing volun-
teers due to the COVID-10 pandemic. The virus has
also closed the mission’s warehouse and thrift store.
With no volunteers to help serve meals and do
landscaping, it’s all-hands-on-deck time for staff
members.
That’s why Sinning is now passing out grocery
bags full of food every Wednesday for families in
need - something she says she normally wouldn’t do.
“Our whole operation has changed,” Sinning said.
The mission’s grocery bag program used to be by
appointment only and was income-qualified, but
now it’s open to everyone every Wednesday at its
warehouse, located at 314 W. Mulberry St.
The mission’s two meals a day program, usually
held inside in its dining hall, is now held outside in
a grab-and-go fashion thanks to the donation of a
concession trailer by Coca-Cola Bottling Company of
Kokomo.
“It’s been a bit challenging and kind of wavering,”
Sinning said. “We’ve had to be problem solvers each
and every day.”
The mission’ residency programs are still operat-
ing, but beds are now more spaced out to comply
with social distancing guidelines. Meal times for res-
idents are also more spaced out and have less people
at them at one time.
As of early April, the mission has given out 700
bags of groceries and about 2,200 grab-and-go
meals – much more than usual - since the pandemic
began, according to Pam Givens, chief development
officer.
If there’s been a time when the mission’s help and
message of hope is needed, it’s now as the pandemic
continues to cause mass unemployment and general
uncertainty.
“The people we are serving are the most vulner-
able right now,” Sinning said. “For us to be able to
continue to serve them is important, not only for
their physical needs but for their emotional, mental
health and spiritual needs.”
With the mission’s thrift store closed, it’s having to
rely on more donations. To donate, visit the mission’s
website at kokomorescuemission.org or by mail at
Kokomo Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 476, Kokomo, IN
46903-4076.
FEEDING THE HUNGRY
At Kokomo Rescue Mission, it’s all hands on deck
Photo by Tim Bath
Jessica Sinning
takes a request from a visitor
during one of the food drives on April 15.
Employees
Jessie
Fandots
and
Jessica
Sinning
hand out
bags of
food as they
do each
Wednesday
at the
Rescue
Mission
warehouse,
located at
314 W.
Mulberry St.
in Kokomo.
