In 1986 the Silver City Gospel Mission began out of the basement of Silver City resident John Pershing. He had a vision to serve the homeless and others at, or near the poverty line in Silver City and in 1987 a board was formed and a non-profit 501-C(3) corporation was begun.
Today, the Silver City Gospel Mission is housed in a large facility located at 111 S. Texas Street, located behind Jalisco’s Restaurant.
The Silver City Gospel Mission Provides include a soup kitchen which serves hot, well-balanced meals daily, a thriving thrift store, a food pantry and clothing bank, an emergency shelter and a full-time staff.
The Gospel Mission is governed by a board of directors selected from the community-at-large; people who have demonstrated compassion and concern about the needs of the homeless and the indigent poor.
A story from the Gospel Mission…
“Awhile back, I met Maria, an older widow who had recently moved in to the neighborhood behind the Mission with her eight children, two grandchildren and her older daughter who was pregnant with her third little one.
The tiny hovel they called “home” was in terrible condition – old wooden floor, adobe walls, minimal ventilation and a rusted metal roof with numerous holes which made it impossible to find a dry spot whenever it rains. There was no food in the house – none at all.
My heart broke as she spoke. She said …
“My burden is too large!
If I only had one child, I could go to my neighbors and beg for a little bit of food. But how could I ask my neighbors, who are also poor, to help me with so many children. I can only turn to God.”
I explained to her that the Silver City Gospel Mission is right down the street and anytime she needed a hot meal she could bring the family down for lunch or a food basket.
We also helped her fill out a SNAP (food stamp) application which would help her with her monthly food allowance.
In a land of abundance, situations like these are sad. We need to do more to educate and inform those truly in need about how they can receive help. We need to work out distribution and storage problems that keep excess food out of the hands of those that need it. And we need the caring hearts and hands of their neighbors to make this possible.
Sadly, Maria is no longer among the living, but I hope we were able to relieve her burden to some extent. It’s when we are able to help people like her, that it makes it all worthwhile.”