OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT)- Open door mission continued its 20-year tradition of offering Christmas Day brunch and dinner service to those in need.

Just over 270 people were fed thanks to Mission staff and their dedicated volunteers, like Rafael Hernando, a former graduate of the Recovery of Life program.

“It gave me the opportunity to change my life in many positive ways,” Rafael explained. “Looking back, I’m so grateful this place exists. »

Rafael worked in the Open Door kitchen as staff while completing the program. It was there that he met Ken Vahlenkamp who was following the same program at the time.

“When I graduated from the new Life Recovery program, he kind of mentored me a little bit while I was in the program,” Vahlenkamp said. “I need to get back in the kitchen and do some cooking. I have been a chef my whole life and this has really helped in my motivation to change my life for the better.

Rafael works full time at Omaha Steaks and once the holidays rolled around, he called in to help give back to the Mission. “I called our chief yesterday and just asked him if he could help us,” said Amy Harvey, community relations manager. “So our boss picked him up earlier this morning and he’s here for the day, spending Christmas Day with us to give back. “

From 4 a.m. until closing, Rafael, along with several dedicated volunteers and staff, prepared meals for those in need on Christmas Day. “They say that, on a daily basis, if this place didn’t have public support, it wouldn’t be able to do what it does,” Rafael said. “So many people every day, three times a day, today is a special meal but it happens three times a day, seven days a week 365.”

Open Door tells First Alert 6 that they are seeing more and more people seeking their services with just under 600 guests currently staying with them full-time; this number continues to increase.

“I guess from an economic standpoint, the number is going to continue to rise because families in the community are really struggling,” Amy Harvey said. “Today’s volunteers have made a really big difference in helping our people feel seen, heard and cared for.”

But Wednesday was all about good food and celebrating the holidays. “There are so many people who don’t have some of the essentials that we have on a daily basis,” Hernando said. “On a day like today, it’s nice to give back.”

Open Door says the total number of First Alert 6 volunteers is down from pre-Covid, but increasing.

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