More than 600 meals served by Coachella Valley Rescue Mission on Christmas

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission served more than 600 meals to those in need this Christmas during their annual holiday breakfast and dinner.

The meals were free and open to the general public, serving a wide range of clients from those experiencing homelessness to others living paycheck to paycheck.

For many, it offered more than just a hot meal, but a sense of community.

"It’s about family, friends and in my heart it’s about being with the less fortunate," Richard Otero, a volunteer at the mission said.

One Salt Lake City family said volunteering at the mission has become apart of their Christmas tradition.

"My brother passed away about ten years ago, and so to honor him, we wear this little bell necklace on Christmas and do something to serve other people in his memory," Mindy and Nick Rich said.

For many clients working to rebuild their lives at the mission, helping serve the meals is a stepping stone in their recovery.

"Maybe we didn't do the same things, but we all met the same demise, right? So it's beautiful that we can all bond over that and just better ourselves in the end ... Working here in the kitchen four days a week has helped me get a new job outside of here and stuff and just rebuild my life completely," Leah Juarez said.

To learn more about the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission's programs, visit: https://cvrm.org/.