Hundreds enjoy Christmas meal, fellowship at Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Volunteers rushed back and forth between the food line and tables of hungry guests at Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul, Minnesota on Christmas, serving low-income residents and making connections.

Some volunteers said they return year after year because the service creates fellowship in ways that a buffet-style lunch does not. 

“Growing up, we were raised by a single mother who was reliant on social services,” said Jamie Hackett, who has volunteered here with her brothers and nephew for the past five years. “Now, as adults, we’re grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community in ways we weren’t able to when we were younger.”

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, a Christian ministry that focuses on homelessness, poverty and addiction, holds the event every Christmas and said about 300 people come through the doors. Volunteers also hit the streets to serve lunch to an estimated 1,060 people in low-income housing facilities. About 115 volunteers staff the on-campus event and the deliveries, organizers said.

Hackett started volunteering as a way to bring joy to the holidays after her mom died. On Tuesday, she worked in tandem with her 11-year-old nephew, Carey, as they served meals of ham, potatoes, vegetables and cookies.

“That way we’re not so sad,” she said. “We’re happy, we laugh, we interact with people, so it’s really changed things around for us.”

Jason Brummond was among the people sitting down to eat lunch Tuesday afternoon. Brummond was staying at Union Gospel Mission and participates in the recovery program, trying to kick a drug and alcohol addiction. 

“It’s a great way to spend Christmas,” he said. “You don’t have to be alone, and you don’t have to be hungry – not when you’ve got all this going on.”

Brummond moved from Omaha, Nebraska, in August. He said he was going through job skills training and was focused on staying clean. The fellowship at Christmas time helps people in need, he said.

“We get too wrapped up in the material side of Christmas,” he said. “Christmas is about love and joy and encouragement.”