This Week On FM Magazine: S-O-U-Per Bowl Week

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Deb Gordon’s guest was Craig Mayes, Executive Director of the New York City Rescue Mission, which is America’s first rescue mission and has been providing spiritual hope, food, shelter, and clothing to the needy of NYC since 1872.

Spotlighted SOUPer Bowl Week which kicks off on January 28th and is an event whereby New York Chefs prepare gourmet soups for the needy every day of the week, that culminates on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3rd when not only will soup be served, but also a large screen TV will be brought into the mission and the residents and community will enjoy the Big Game.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg is a strong supporter of the event and has proclaimed the week SOUPer Bowl Week. Discussed were past and present participants of SOUPer Bowl week, including David Bouley, Alex Garcia, Vikas Khanna, Mark Gastineau, and the Original Soup Man.

Mr. Mayes also provided information about the help the mission provides, and the special emphasis placed on educating the men who stay there, not only by offering computer courses, and helping them get their GED’s, but by taking them on field trips to experience museums and other forms of cultural entertainment they would normally never participate in. The mission strives to provide the men with the tools to become employed and live independently and Mr. Mayes provided examples of success stories.

Mr. Mayes discussed his role as the newly appointed Executive Director, what makes the work so rewarding for him, and motivates him to try to help the 47000 homeless new Yorkers. He also stressed the importance of not judging the people who come to the mission, but instead to help them move forward. Also discussed were the Mission’s plans for expansion to also offer overnight stays for women, and expanded medical facilities. Mr. Mayes expressed a need for the medical community to consider volunteering.

Mr. Mayes also expressed a wish that during SOUPer Bowl week, members of the community would eat a bowl of soup and think about those in need, or help the mission serve soup as a volunteer. To learn more, call 212-226-6214 or visit www.nycrescue.org.

Listen to the interview HERE: