Take 5 to Give $5: Grant helps Downtown Rescue Mission pay for food, cleaning items

Take 5 to Give $5: Grant helps Downtown Rescue Mission pay for food, cleaning items

The pandemic.

With people losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, more people are asking the downtown rescue mission in huntsville for help.

Waay 31's pat simon explains how it's just one of dozens of non-profits in north alabama receiving funding from the community foundation of greater huntsville to help with these expenses.

Nats bryce miller runs the kitchen at the downtown rescue mission.

He's in a much different place now than he was just 10 months ago.

Miller-i had no possessions ...literally i had the suitcase in my car he was hospitalized for two months due to a blood infection and couldn't work or pay his rent.

But he's much better off now.

Miller-to wake up every morning to know that every basic need i have is taken care of.

Nowadays bryce is helping people who struggle like he once did.

But the coronavirus is making it even tougher for them to survive.

The downtown rescue mission says donations are significantly down since the coronavirus pandemic hit america.

Miller-"for the last couple of weeks, we're not seeing that much of the donations coming in.

Fewer donations - at a time when they are preparing twice as many food bags each week.

And with all 8 of their thrift stores closed, they're also not receiving their normal amount of revenue to pay for operations.

But the rescue mission is not turning anyone away.

Overholt-"we're going to give it to anybody that's in need."

Rescue mission president and ceo keith overholt told us the emergency relief fund through the community foundation of greater huntsville will help feed people in need.

Overholt-so we're making sure that everybody who is laid off and furloughed or whatever, make sure they get food as well and the food that we supply here.

The grant will also go towards cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and other supplies they need for the community and guests.

Overholt-there's a lot of product that we are going through that we normally don't go through and while the grant will help keep the mission afloat for now - they'll continue needing generous donations from the community.

Reporting in huntsville pat simon waay 31 news.

You can support the greater huntsville community foundation through the take 5 to give 5 campaign.

The money will support nonprofits in the greater huntsville area who are serving on the frontline of the coronavirus response.

It all leads up to giving tuesday - which falls on 5/5, may 5th this year!

If you want to get involved - it's easy to do.

First - head to waay t-v dot com.

On our homepage - you'll see an article with the "take 5 to give 5" logo you see on your screen.

Once you open that - it has a link to donate any amount.

Today is the second day of the fundraising campaign - and we've already raised more than 200-thousand dollars!

2 companies announced corporate gifts!

Toyota donated 50-thousand dollars - and aerojet rocketdyne donated