The Raleigh Rescue Community Work Day Bake Sale raised $174 in funds for the Raleigh Rescue Mission
Ross McCallie (11) says, “The bake sale was so fun, and I’m really grateful for everyone from our Community Workday who contributed! Together, we were able to raise over $160 to help Raleigh Rescue Mission, a local organization that provides support to people experiencing homelessness in the Raleigh area.”
McCallie spoke of plans to raise funds for Raleigh Rescue Mission, saying, “Later in the year, we’ll be making meal bags for them using the proceeds from this bake sale, so y’all’s participation and support really mean a lot!”
Raleigh Rescue Mission (RRM) is an organization in North Carolina that helps people who don’t have a home or a safe place to stay. They believe every person has value and deserves a chance to rebuild their life.
Raleigh Rescue Mission doesn’t just give food or a bed. They provide support, love, hope, and teach life skills. They help people grow into independent adults and responsible parents, which can lead to life-changing experiences.
Raleigh Rescue Mission’s mission is: “Believing every individual has sacred value, we equip people to impact the world for good through the love of Jesus Christ.” They want to help people not just survive, but thrive by getting healthy, building skills, getting a job, taking care of their family, and eventually having their own home. They also care about changing the whole community. By helping people who are struggling, they hope to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, giving people a second chance at life.
Right now, Raleigh Rescue Mission is building a new place called The Garden in Knightdale. It will help even more women and children who need a safe place to live. The Garden will have lots of rooms, a playground, places for kids to learn, and other support so families can grow and get stronger together. By giving our $174, RCHS is helping feed families, support the mission, and provide a home for people who are in need.
Homelessness is something people usually think of as a big city problem, but it’s actually a big issue in Raleigh and across the Triangle. Recent counts from local agencies show that there are close to 1,800 people experiencing homelessness in Wake, Durham, and Orange counties. Wake County has seen one of the biggest increases, with the number of people without stable housing nearly doubling since 2020. A lot of this has to do with rising rent prices and the lack of affordable housing. Even people working full-time can struggle to pay for a place to live.
HOW CAN WE AS STUDENTS MAKE AN IMPACT:
For us at RCHS, the bake sale was a great start. It raised money and awareness, but our impact doesn’t have to stop there. There are plenty of ways for you to keep helping throughout the year:
- Volunteer with local groups.
- Raleigh Dream Center or Raleigh Rescue Mission needs volunteers to help assemble welcome baskets, organize donation drives, or support events.
- Join community events.
- Every fall, the Triangle hosts Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, which includes service projects and educational activities anyone can join.
- Support families in transition.
- Groups like Family Promise of the Triangle help parents and kids move from temporary shelter into long-term housing — and they often have ways for teens to get involved.
- Spread awareness.
- Sometimes the most important thing we can do is talk about the issue. Learning the facts and sharing them with others helps break stereotypes and encourages more people to take action.
